Yankees Lose Free Agent Pitcher to Padres

Sean Boyle, who made 23 starts for the New York Yankees' top farm team in 2025, but had yet to reach the majors in seven seasons in the organization, has signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres.

According to his transactions log on MLB.com, Boyle's contract became official Wednesday.

Boyle went 9-9 with a 4.61 ERA in 28 games for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders in 2025. He limited opponents to a .241 batting average, walked 51, and struck out 120 in 134.2 innings.

The Yankees selected Boyle in the 25th round of the 2017 MLB Draft out of Dallas Baptist University. He patiently climbed the minor league ladder over the next seven seasons, going 39-22 with a 3.83 ERA in 134 games (71 starts) along the way.

Boyle also made seven appearances for the Yankees in Grapefruit League games from 2022-25, going 1-1 with a 2.79 ERA. He allowed 16 hits, walked 12 and struck out 18 batters in 19.1 spring innings.

Now, he'll head to a Padres team that has a sudden need for rotation depth.

Wednesday, the Padres lost free agent right-hander Dylan Cease when he reportedly signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Boyle will need to show the Padres that he's worthy of the 26-man roster spot that eluded him in New York, but at least his chances of reaching the majors just improved.

Beyond Nick Pivetta and Randy Vasquez, the Padres enter 2026 with a number of question marks in their rotation.

Left-hander JP Sears shuttled between the majors and minors after he was acquired from the A's at the July trade deadline. Joe Musgrove missed the entire 2025 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Kyle Hart struggled in his return to the U.S. after pitching in Korea.

Enter Boyle, who figures to start next season at Triple-A El Paso if he does not lock down a job in spring training.

November 27, 2025