Padres outright Tirso Ornelas to Triple-A El Paso, open spot for Canning

The San Diego Padres outrighted 25-year-old outfielder Tirso Ornelas to Triple-A El Paso after he cleared waivers, a move that created room on the 40-man roster for right-hander Griffin Canning's one-year major league contract. MiLB's transaction log lists Ornelas as designated for assignment on February 17, outrighted to El Paso on February 22, and administratively assigned to the Padres on February 23.

"The Padres outrighted Ornelas to Triple-A El Paso on Monday," RotoWire and CBS Sports noted, and both outlets added that Ornelas will remain in the organization and continue working in major-league spring camp. RotoWire and CBS each wrote that "though he's no longer a member of the 40-man roster, Ornelas will stick around in the Padres organization after clearing waivers and will continue to participate in major-league camp" and that he "is expected to begin the season as an everyday outfielder at El Paso."

Padres Mission traced the roster mechanics to the club's official X account announcement that the club DFA'd Ornelas to make room for Griffin Canning. Padres Mission also placed the move in the context of camp competition, writing that "Ornelas' role was never guaranteed as it likely came down to him and fellow outfielder Bryce Johnson to battle for one of the last active roster spots" and that "one of the two became even more expendable once it was announced that the Padres signed Nick Castellanos." The site concluded bluntly, "After the first day of camp, Ornelas is the odd man out."

Ornelas' on-field résumé in the reporting pool is a mix of small major-league experience and stronger Triple-A production. Nationaltoday reported he "made his MLB debut last season, going 1-for-14," and also noted that "in the minors, he posted an .833 OPS with 10 home runs in 82 Triple-A games in 2022." Padres Mission offered complementary metrics, writing that "in a cup of coffee last year, Ornelas posted a .256 OPS across 16 plate appearances" and that "at Triple A El Paso he was an above average posting a 104 wRC+ with 10 home runs and seven stolen bases." Padres Mission's scouting note adds that "his scouting report suggests that he can play an average, if not above average, corner outfield."

The transaction continues a pattern of shuttle moves for Ornelas dating back to 2024. MiLB's timeline includes his contract selection and option back to El Paso on July 17, 2024; multiple recalls and options through 2025, including recalls on October 1 and September 29, 2025; and international roster entries with Charros de Jalisco in late 2024 and early 2026.

For now, the Padres have preserved organizational depth. With Ornelas cleared off the 40-man roster and projected to be an everyday outfielder at Triple-A El Paso, the club gains a 40-man slot for Griffin Canning while keeping a corner-outfield option with a 104 wRC+ and double-digit home-run ability in its Triple-A mix.