Padres Notes: Veteran Suddenly Retires, Pitcher Undergoes Major Surgery, Blockbuster Trade Link

Aug 29, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nestor Cortes (65) delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images | Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nestor Cortes had a procedure on his throwing arm, and he will miss the 2026 season during recovery.

Cortes is a free agent, so he will not have a team for the upcoming season.

In other news, veteran catcher Martin Maldonado announced his retirement, a move that many had anticipated. Maldonado held a key role in the catcher platoon, but once Freddy Fermin was acquired, he had less time on the field.

Finally, the Padres were linked to pitcher Joe Ryan, who plays for the Minnesota Twins, but he has been the subject of trade rumors for a while.

President of baseball operations A.J. Preller is known for his aggressiveness, making it impossible to rule out a move for the ace.

Here’s more information on these stories and all the latest Padres news (click the headline for the full article):

Padres Linked to All-Star Starting Pitcher in Potential Offseason Trade

Padres Free Agent Pitcher Undergoes Major Surgery, Likely Out for 2026

Luis Arraez Sends Clear Message to Padres Front Office Ahead of Free Agency

Padres Veteran Announces Sudden Retirement

Padres Tweets of the Day:

Martín Maldonado has announced his retirement after 15 MLB seasons.

Maldonado won a Gold Glove in 2017 with the Angels and a World Series championship with the Astros in 2022. He also caught for the Brewers, Royals, Cubs, White Sox, and Padres. pic.twitter.com/7msL2GYzEv

— MLB (@MLB) October 18, 2025

Regardless of who becomes the Manager in San Diego, the Padres would be wise to hold on to Ruben Niebla and Ben Fritz.

Team pitching rankings since 2022:

3.76 ERA (8th in MLB)
1.22 WHIP (6th)
9.03 K/9 (5th)

They have consistently led top 10 pitching staffs year after year… pic.twitter.com/nFWGNUW1V3

— Al Scott (@AlScott1998) October 13, 2025

The two Captains of the San Diego Padres

Joe Musgrove & Jackson Merrill

at the Alex Morgan Foundation event last night in San Diego🫡

Good to see the two Captians of the Padres out and about in the community! pic.twitter.com/pAcOLSNDNC

— Ryan Knows Ball (@RyanKnowsBall) October 17, 2025

Reverend Capistran Ferrito, of Our Lady Queen of Angels in East Harlem at a playground on East 113th Street - February 10, 1966.

The inspiration for the San Diego Padres swinging Friar logo? pic.twitter.com/uhPehPhsPH

— 1969-Present (@PadresHistory) October 16, 2025

For more Padres news, head over to Padres on SI.