PEORIA, Ariz. — Ty France is officially a Padre again.
The corner infielder has been informed he will be on the roster Thursday, when the Padres open the 2026 season against the Detroit Tigers at Petco Park.
The Padres drafted France in the 35th round out of San Diego State in 2015, and he made his major league debut with them in 2019. He was part of a seven-player trade at the deadline in 2020 that also sent relief pitcher Andres Muñoz to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for catcher Austin Nola and two relief pitchers.
France was an All-Star in 2022 and played for the Seattle Mariners until 2024, when they traded him to the Cincinnati Reds at the deadline. He signed with the Minnesota Twins last season and ended up playing in the World Series after he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays at the deadline.
France has hit .262/.334/.400 in 3,309 plate career appearances. No active player has been hit by more pitches than France has (126).
France hit .257/.320/.360 and won the Gold Glove for American League first basemen in 2025.
He signed a minor-league deal with the Padres in February. As a free agent with six years of service time, France had the option to request his release on Saturday if he was not assured he would be on the major league roster.
His salary for 2026 is $1.35 million.
The roster spot for an extra infielder was available because Sung-Mun Song will begin the season on the injured list.