One month after signing Ryan Buchter to a minor league deal, the Padres added the left-handed reliever to their 40-man roster.

According to a club source, a foreign team had expressed interest in Buchter. Rather than letting the 28-year-old go, the Padres selected his contract from Triple-A El Paso. There are now 39 players on the 40-man roster.

Besides the automatic invitation to spring training, the move fit Buchter’s preference. There should be ample opportunity in the Padres’ bullpen this year; Buchter is the third minor league free agent to be added to the 40-man roster this offseason, joining fellow lefty Buddy Baumann and right-hander Cesar Vargas.

A pair of right-handers selected in the Rule 5 draft, Josh Martin and Blake Smith, also will be in the Padres’ big-league camp.


Buchter has only one inning of major league experience — in 2014, he recorded a walk and a strikeout during a scoreless frame for Atlanta — but he has had success in the minors. Originally drafted in the 33rd round by Washington in 2005, he owns a career strikeouts-per-nine rate of 10.9.

Splitting last season between the Dodgers and Cubs’ Triple-A affiliates, Buchter had a 1.78 ERA in 50 2/3 innings. He walked 25 and struck out 62. Opposing left-handed hitters were held to a .183/.237/.225 batting line.

This winter, Buchter pitched for Tomateros de Culiacan of the Mexican Pacific League. He had a 0.72 ERA and 10 saves in 25 innings, walking 10 and striking out 35.

Buchter has struggled with control issues; over 10 minor league seasons, he’s averaged nearly six walks for every nine innings.


Still, the 6-foot-3 southpaw could be an intriguing option for a bullpen lacking experience. After the trades of closer Craig Kimbrel and setup man Joaquin Benoit, it is unclear who will handle the Padres’ latter innings.

The Padres have expressed interest in Fernando Rodney on an incentive-laden deal, but sources indicate the 38-year-old free agent may prefer a club offering more guarantees.

More than likely, the Padres will head to spring training with few heralded relievers and see who emerges from the crowd.