The Rakuten Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball signed Gonzalez to a two-year, $2 million contract Thursday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Padres granted Gonzalez's request to be released earlier this week so that the outfielder could get a better opportunity and more money overseas. Gonzalez posted a .483 OPS over 21 games during his time with the Padres.

The Padres released Gonzalez on Monday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Padres are granting Gonzalez his release so that the outfielder can pursue an opportunity with a Japanese club. Gonzalez produced just a .483 OPS over 21 games during his time with the Padres and had been sent to Triple-A El Paso earlier this month. San Diego now has an additional 40-man roster spot to play with.

The Padres optioned Gonzalez to Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Gonzalez produced just a .483 OPS in 21 games with the Padres and had been losing playing time lately. The team will announce a corresponding move prior to Friday's game in Colorado.

Gonzalez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Gonzalez is on the bench for the second straight game, and his time as a regular in the San Diego lineup appears to have come to an end with the recent returns of Luis Arraez and Jason Heyward from the injured list. The 27-year-old Gonzalez should be able to maintain steady playing time against left-handed pitching, filling the short side of a platoon either with Heyward in left field or with Gavin Sheets at designated hitter.

Gonzalez will start in right field and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

He'll stick in the lineup for the eighth consecutive game after going 7-for-24 with a double and two RBI over the prior seven contests. With all of Jackson Merrill (hamstring), Brandon Lockridge (hamstring), Jason Heyward (knee) Jake Cronenworth (ribs) and Luis Arraez (concussion) on the injured list, Gonzalez could be in store for a near-everyday role until San Diego gets at least a couple of those players back in action.

Gonzalez was called up from Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Gonzalez will replace Jackson Merrill (hamstring) on the 26-man roster after Merrill was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a right hamstring strain. Gonzalez has produced a .290 average with three home runs, seven RBI, seven runs scored and a stolen base over 31 at-bats in seven games with El Paso so far this season. The 27-year-old will provide San Diego with another depth option in the outfield with Merrill unavailable.

The Padres selected Gonzalez's contract and optioned him to Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

While attending camp with the Padres on a minor-league deal, Gonzalez wasn't able to break camp with the big club but impressed during his time in the Cactus League with a .995 OPS over 21 games. He's hitting just .167 through four games at El Paso to begin the season, but he busted out of his slump Wednesday by slugging a pair of solo home runs. Though Gonzalez won't be joining the Padres, his addition to the 40-man roster will allow San Diego to more easily promote him when the big club requires additional outfield depth as the season unfolds.

Gonzalez will not be included on the Padres' Opening Day roster, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gonzalez played his way into consideration as a non-roster invitee by putting up a .995 OPS during Cactus League play, but it ultimately wasn't enough. He will be reassigned to minor-league camp and open the season at Triple-A El Paso, assuming he isn't able to find a major-league job elsewhere.

The Padres signed Gonzalez to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Gonzalez spent all of the 2024 season in the minors, slashing .294/.333/.469 with eight homers and seven steals in 78 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the Yankees organization. Slated to turn 27 in January, Gonzalez hit .269/.299/.413 over 145 contests with the Guardians from 2022-23.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre reinstated Gonzalez (orbital) from its 7-day injured list Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Gonzalez picked up his first starts of the season for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday and Wednesday, going 1-for-9 with an RBI, a run and a stolen base. The 26-year-old outfielder/designated hitter missed the first month of the season while recovering from a fractured right orbital, which he sustained when he fouled a ball off his face in a March 25 exhibition. Gonzalez appeared in five rehab games for Single-A Tampa before joining Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's active roster.