PEORIA, Ariz. — The Padres granted veteran reliever Casey Janssen his release Thursday, reducing their major league camp to 43 players.
Janssen, 34, signed a minor league contract with the Padres on Feb. 20. The deal included an invitation to big-league spring training, inserting the right-hander into what appeared to be a wide-open bullpen competition.
The picture has gained clarity in recent days, it becoming apparent that a place for Janssen was unlikely. Early this month, the Padres added another experienced reliever, lefty Matt Thornton, on a non-roster deal. Earlier this week, right-hander Brandon Maurer was shifted from a rotation candidate to a bullpen arm.