The San Diego Padres have added an arm to their bullpen on Sunday with the signing of veteran left-handed reliever Aaron Loup.
The #Padres have signed LHP Aaron Loup to a one-year contract, including a club option for 2020: https://t.co/taOZ2xKIaf pic.twitter.com/m9vrQZshMz
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) February 17, 2019
Loup joins a bullpen that was impressive a year ago, and a bullpen that returns every member from 2018. Even though the entire bullpen is returning from last season, there was a void when it came to left-handed relievers as Matt Strahm and Robbie Erlin shift to the starting rotation.
This cutter from Aaron Loup, oh my pic.twitter.com/dxJ5mb5AEw
— Ben Palmer (@benjpalmer) May 30, 2018Loup has appeared in 378 big league games over seven seasons for Toronto and Philadelphia. He has a career 3.49 ERA and has closed out six games in his career. In 2018 he posted a 4.54 ERA over 39.2 IP with 44 strikeouts.
#BlueJays LHP Aaron Loup strikes out #Mariners OF Chih-Hsien Chiang @ https://t.co/CEpQy6e2 vs. #Padres 3B Jedd Gyorko @ https://t.co/yT1r6aB6
— Dan J (@ProspectD2J) July 12, 2012His specialty? Lefties. Last season left-handed hitters hit .268 against Loup with .678 OPS, which is significantly better then right-handed hitters who posted .325 batting average and .935 OPS. All four of his home runs allowed last season, came off the bats of right handed hitters.
31-year old Loup signs a 1-year deal with the Padres with a team option for 2020.
The Padres place right-hander Garrett Richards to the 60-day injured list in order to make room for Loup on the 40-man roster. Richards is recovering from July 2018 Tommy John surgery.
