El Paso Chihuahuas Unveil Initial 2026 Triple-A Roster Ahead of Opening Weekend

The El Paso Chihuahuas and San Diego Padres announced the 2026 initial Triple-A roster on Wednesday, building a group that blends organizational depth with several recognizable names from the big-league level.

The roster includes 13 returning players and 14 players with MLB experience, and is subject to change prior to the season-opening game in Sacramento. With opening weekend arriving quickly, the composition of this group signals the Padres' intent to stock their top affiliate with arms and bats capable of stepping into a major-league role if needed.

The pitching staff carries the most notable names. Triston McKenzie signed a minor league contract with San Diego in December 2025 after a difficult stint with Cleveland, and he now opens the year in El Paso. As recently as 2022, McKenzie was one of the best pitchers in the American League, making 30 starts and posting a 2.92 ERA. But injuries to his elbow and shoulder derailed his trajectory, and he made only four big-league appearances last season with an 11.12 ERA. He joins a pitching staff that also includes J.P. Sears, Marco Gonzales, Jackson Wolf, Omar Cruz, Logan Gillaspie, Alek Jacob, Misael Tamarez, Eli Villalobos, Ethan Routzahn, Garrett Hawkins, Justin Yeager, Sean Boyle, Miguel Cienfuegos, and Evan Fitterer.

The outfield carries its own intrigue. Alex Verdugo signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres on March 1, 2026. He has previously played in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Atlanta Braves. Verdugo hit just .239 with a .585 OPS in 56 games for the Braves last season before being released in July. Now 29, he joins Jase Bowen and Nick Schnell in a Chihuahuas outfield that has clear upside if Verdugo can rediscover his swing from his peak years.

The infield features Marcos Castañon, Clay Dungan, Mason McCoy, Jose Miranda, Nate Mondou, Pablo Reyes, Nick Solak, and Samad Taylor, several of whom have spent time at the MLB level. Pablo Reyes, Jose Miranda, and Nick Solak were among the experienced players who had been competing in the Padres' camp on minor league deals this spring. Behind the plate, Rodolfo Duran, Anthony Vilar, and Colton Vincent form the catching corps.

The franchise enters 2026 with momentum after a bounce-back 2025. After going 62-88 in 2023 and 64-86 in 2024, El Paso posted an 81-68 record last season, good for a Pacific Coast League wild card berth. The depth of this initial roster suggests the organization is aiming to push that record higher, particularly with a rotation that now includes multiple pitchers carrying something to prove.

McKenzie will be battling for a spot in San Diego's starting rotation alongside J.P. Sears, which means their time in El Paso could be measured in weeks rather than months. That kind of volatility at the top of the pitching staff is exactly what makes early-season Triple-A rosters worth watching closely.