The Padres have signed free agent (and recent former Padre) Jordan Lyles to a one-year contract with a team option. In a corresponding move, the team designated Travis Wood for assignment. On the surface these are relatively minor moves, but there is sound reasoning behind each of them.
Travis Wood was acquired along with minor leaguer Esteury Ruiz in the mid-season trade that sent Trevor Cahill, Brandon Maurer, and Ryan Buchter to the Royals from the Padres. The Royals picked up Wood’s salary for the remainder of the 2017 season as well as all of his 2018 contract, so Wood’s services were of no cost to the team.