March 11, 2024
The Padres
reassigned Locastro to minor-league camp Monday.
ANALYSISLocastro posted a 1.115 OPS over 13 at-bats in Cactus League play, but his career .228/.327/.337 slash line over 616 career MLB plate appearances was likely a bigger factor in the Padres' decision to cut him. Though the Padres' outfield picture remains unsettled beyond
Fernando Tatis and
Jurickson Profar at the corner spots, the team may be eager to let top prospect
Jackson Merrill sink or swim in center field rather than handing regular starts at the position to a journeyman like Locastro. If he isn't granted a release, the 31-year-old Locastro will likely begin the season at Triple-A El Paso.