Where Have You Gone Juan Padilla?

Former Met Juan Padilla was signed to a contract by the York Revolution of the Atlantic League.
Padilla, 30, who last pitched for the Mets in 2005 has had more than his share of bad luck. In an exhibition game as a tune up for the World Baseball Classic, Padilla felt discomfort in his right, pitching, arm. He started to lose velocity, and was unable to locate his pitches. Shortly afterwards, it was announced that he would undergo Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow in March 2006.

After recovering from the surgery, Padilla was set to return to pitching in 2007 when he suffered a partial tear of a tendon in his forearm. Once again, a year after the Tommy John surgery, Padilla had to have surgery to repair the damage to his forearm.

Unable to make the Mets squad this spring, he was assigned to the Mets AAA New Orleans Zephyrs squad. After allowing 15 earned runs in 14 innings of relief, the Mets released him earlier this month.

Adam Gladstone, Director of Baseball Operations for the Revs, contacted him on a tip from Revs 2B, and former Mets prospect, Enrique Cruz who knew him. Revs manager Chris Hoiles held an audition for Padilla in which he impressed the manager. With that, the Revs signed Padilla.

Padilla had a real impressive 2005 for the Mets, posting a 1.49 ERA in 24 games.

Good luck Juan, we hope your journey ends with another opportunity to pitch in the Major Leagues.

For more on Juan Padilla, please read Jim Seip's article in York Daily Record.