Padres Sign J.P. France to Minor League Contract

The San Diego Padres have signed right-handed pitcher J.P. France to a minor league contract following his release from the Houston Astros' Triple-A team. France will join the Padres' Triple-A affiliate in El Paso.

France had a brief stint with the Astros earlier this season, appearing in three games in April where he allowed six earned runs over 6 2/3 innings. His performance in the minors has been slightly better, with a 3.72 ERA in 36 1/3 innings at Sugar Land, although he faced challenges with a high walk rate and an expected ERA suggesting he was fortunate to maintain that ERA.

In his major league career, France holds a 4.49 ERA over 172 1/3 innings, with a 7.00 ERA in 36 innings since the start of 2024. The Padres currently have a strong bullpen, featuring standout performances from closer Mason Miller and setup man Adrian Morejon, and France is expected to serve as a depth option while awaiting a potential call-up.