Once regarded as one of the best young outfielders in the San Diego Padres system, Rymer Liriano was designated for assignment by the team Friday to make room on the 40-man roster for shortstop Alexei Ramirez.
The team now has 10 days to either trade, release or put Liriano on waivers.
If he clears waivers then the team could offer him an outright assignment to the minors.
Liriano, 24, was rated as the No. 60 prospect in baseball heading into the 2012 season and No. 55 prior to the 2013 season, according to MLB.com
He reached the majors with the Padres in 2014, but struggled with a .220 batting average and struck out at a high rate (39 strikeouts in 121 plate appearances).
Strikeouts have continually been an issue for Liriano and could be one of the main reasons that the team designated him for assignment.
Last season with Triple-A El Paso, Liriano struck out 132 times in 131 games, while amassing just 64 walks.
Also with prospect like Hunter Renfroe and Alex Dickerson ahead of him on the depth chart, his track to the big leagues was pretty cloudy.
With Liriano’s designation for assignment, Ramirez officially joins the Padres’ roster.
