Michael King will continue his baseball career in San Diego after an injury-plagued 2025 season.
The Padres have agreed to a three-year, $75 million contract with the right-hander, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports. Those terms include opt-outs after the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
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King went 5-3 with a 3.44 ERA in 15 starts last season. He was placed on the injured list twice due to nerve compression in his right shoulder and knee inflammation, which limited him to 73.1 innings. King opted out of his contract after the Friars exited the 2025 playoffs as a wild card.
He was selected by the Miami Marlins in the 12th round of the 2016 MLB Draft. He spent two seasons in the minor league system before being traded to the New York Yankees. King made his major league debut in 2019 and quickly became a mainstay in the Yankees bullpen.
The right-hander spent five seasons in pinstripes before being traded to the Padres in the Juan Soto trade.
In two seasons in San Diego, King compiled an 18-10 record with a 3.10 ERA in 45 starts. He is expected to be the No. 1 starter in the starting rotation in 2026.
