The San Diego Padres have released first baseman/designated hitter Leandro Cedeño after a short stint in their minor league system, but the move quickly led to a new opportunity overseas.
Cedeño, who joined the Padres on a minor-league deal in February, was let go from Double-A San Antonio after appearing in just 26 games.
Despite producing strong numbers at the plate—hitting .315 with a .949 OPS, four home runs, and 14 RBIs—his time with the organization ended shortly after he last played on May 15, when he exited due to an unspecified injury.
Reports indicate his release was tied to an upcoming contract agreement, as Cedeño is expected to sign with Japan’s Yakult Swallows in Nippon Professional Baseball, marking a return to the league where he previously spent three seasons.
The 27-year-old slugger has spent over a decade in professional baseball but has yet to make his MLB debut.
Originally signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014, he climbed through multiple minor league systems before reaching Triple-A with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2022. After that, he moved to Japan, where he continued to develop as a power hitter.
Across his minor league career, Cedeño has appeared in nearly 500 games, hitting .290 with 78 home runs and 320 RBIs, showing consistent offensive production but never quite breaking through to the major leagues.
Now, instead of continuing his push toward MLB with San Diego, Cedeño is set to continue his career in Japan, where he will look to build on his international experience and keep his professional journey going.
