The Padres have claimed reliever Fautino De Los Santos off waivers from Milwaukee, the Brewers announced Wednesday.
De Los Santos, 26, appeared in just six games at the major-league level last season, all with Oakland. He spent the bulk of the season at Triple-A between the Athletics and Brewers organizations. De Los Santos struggled there, as he recorded a horrible 5.80 ERA and 1.732 WHIP despite a 3.0 K/BB.
Still, De Los Santos brings a big-time power arm to the table, and that's why San Diego was willing to give up a 40-man roster spot to acquire him. The righty has averaged 95.6 mph on his fastball in his 40 major-league appearances, and that velocity earned him a No. 60 ranking on Baseball America's 2008 top prospects list. The Padres will see if they can harness what the Athletics and Brewers failed to do with De Los Santos' big right arm.
The club also announced it designated infielder Jeudy Valdez for assignment.
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