Former D-back Brito designated for assignment days after joining Padres

Well, that was fast.

Just three days after being claimed off waivers by the Padres, former Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Socrates Brito was designated for assignment by San Diego.

The #Padres have selected the contract of LHP Nick Margevicius and designated OF Socrates Brito for assignment.

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) March 30, 2019

In selecting the contract of left-handed pitcher Nick Margevicious for San Diego’s 40-man roster, Brito was the odd man out.

Brito had yet to have an at-bat for the Padres.

It’s been a rough start to the season for the former D-back.

With no more minor league options left with Arizona, Brito was placed on waivers as they shored up their 25-man roster ahead of Opening Day. The Padres announced they had claimed the outfielder March 27.

While Brito may have been an option to join the team following Steven Souza Jr’s season-ending injury during the team’s exhibition game — Brito was already on waivers — it wasn’t a sure thing he would have made the team regardless, as infielder Ildemaro Vargas impressed in spring training. Vargas ended up making the 25-man roster with Souza out.

The once highly ranked prospect in the D-backs’ farm system saw 82 big league games over the course of three seasons. Over that span, Brito hit .202 with 34 hits, 16 RBIs and 18 runs scored in 168 at-bats.

In spring training this season, Brito played in 22 games (54 at-bats), hitting .167 and slugging .204. He had nine hits and seven runs scored.

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