Inside The Padres

Former Padres Slugger Continuing Career in Japan

Nelson Espinal|
Jun 14, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Luke Voit (45) is congratulated by first baseman Eric Hosmer (30) after hitting a two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 14, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Luke Voit (45) is congratulated by first baseman Eric Hosmer (30) after hitting a two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

In this story:

San Diego Padres

A former San Diego Padres slugger signed a contract with a professional Japanese baseball team, continuing his playing career overseas.

Luke Voit, a first baseman and designated hitter, has been playing baseball in Mexico. He hit 23 home runs with Tabasco and 12 with Quintana Roo over the past two seasons south of the American border.

After succeeding in Mexico, the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball signed Voit on Sunday.

More news: Padres Pitching Coach Provides Positive Yu Darvish Update After Big Step

Voit was traded to the Padres in 2022 from the New York Yankees. In his sole season with the Padres, Voit hit .225/.317/.416 with 13 home runs in 82 games.

He didn't finish the season with the Padres. He ended up getting traded to the Washington Nationals in the Juan Soto trade.

Joining the New York Yankees from the St. Louis Cardinals, Voit hit 14 home runs in 39 games during the 2018 season, giving the Yankees an instant lift on offense.

In 2019, he hit more than 20 home runs, just like he did during the pandemic-shorted 2020 season when he led the league with 22 home runs in 56 games.

Voit finished ninth in MVP voting for the 2020 season, though his career would take a nosedive in the following years.

After playing for the Nationals, he ended up with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2023, which would be his last season in MLB.

The New York Mets gave Voit a couple of minor league deals, but they never panned out for the 34-year-old.

Now in Japan, the slugger gets another chance to impress in a different league. If he has success again, the 34-year-old could get another shot with an MLB team.

More news: Padres Could Acquire $50 Million All-Star, Gold Glover in Blockbuster Trade, Says Insider

For more Padres news, head over toPadres on SI.

Published
Nelson Espinal
NELSON ESPINAL

Nelson Espinal lives and breathes sports. Avidly following of everything ranging from motorsports to Mixed Martial Arts to tennis, he is connected with most of the sports world at all times. His dream of writing about sports started at 16 years of age, writing for a Lakers fans blog, and his passions for sports writing has grown since. He has his Bachelor's degree in Political Science, and a minor in writing literature from the University of California, San Diego.

Share on XFollow nelson__espinal
Home/San Diego Padres News