Padres Make Another Trade, Acquire All-Star Starting Pitcher From NL Contender

Mar 29, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Nestor Cortes (65) pitches in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The San Diego Padres landed All-Star starting pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. from the Milwaukee Brewers just ahead of the 3 p.m. trade deadline Thursday.

Padres acquiring LHP Nestor Cortes Jr. from Brewers, source tells @TheAthletic

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2025

The Padres also acquired shortstop Jorge Quintana and cash from the Brew Crew. In return, the Friars sent outfielder Brandon Lockridge.

We have acquired left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes, shortstop Jorge Quintana, and cash from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for outfielder Brandon Lockridge.

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 31, 2025

More news: Padres Make Trade, Acquire Infielder From Blue Jays

Cortes made just two starts this season before landing on the 15-day injured list with a left elbow flexor strain. The Brewers later moved him to the 60-day injured list. In his two appearances, Cortes pitched eight innings and allowed eight runs for a 9.00 ERA. The southpaw was an All-Star in 2022, and has played five solid years with the Yankees in his career. He had a 3.61 ERA with the Bronx Bombers, and played in the 2024 World Series.

Cortes is the second starting pitcher to come to the Padres at the deadline, the first being JP Sears of the Athletics. With the addition of these two players, the Friars' rotation is packed, with Sears, Cortes, Dylan Cease, Nick Pivetta, Yu Darvish, Randy Vasquez and Michael King all potential starters.

Lockridge played 47 games with the Padres this season, posting a .519 OPS through 88 at-bats. The acquisitions of Ryan O'Hearn and Ramon Laureano pushed Lockridge out of contention for a spot on the roster, so his move comes at little consequence for the Friars.

More news: What Did The Padres Give Up in Blockbuster Ryan O’Hearn, Ramon Laureano Trade?

The Padres made a statement at the deadline, and cemented themselves as contenders by bringing in three All-Stars. They are just three game back of the Dodgers in the NL West, and will take a five-game winning streak into August against the St. Louis Cardinals.

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