The San Diego Padres on Sunday selected the contract of veteran shortstop Nick Ahmed, who has a chance to play for his fourth National League West Division team since 2023.

To make room for Ahmed on the 40-man roster, the Padres placed shortstop Mason McCoy on the 10-day injured list because of back inflammation. Right-hander Jhony Brito was recalled from Triple-A El-Paso and placed on the 60-day IL due to a strained right elbow, officially ending his season.

Ahmed, 34, played this season for the San Fransico Giants (52 games) and Los Angeles Dodgers (17) after 888 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2014-23. The Diamondbacks released him in September 2023, the Giants on July 10 and the Dodgers on Aug. 22.

A Gold Glove winner in 2018 and 2019, he signed with the Padres as a free agent on Aug. 31, the last day players could sign and be eligible for the postseason roster. He was training at the franchise’s complex in Peoria, Ariz.

“Any time you join a team that’s winning and in contention and got a chance to make the playoffs, play some games in October — it’s a lot of fun,” Ahmed said. “I had some other opportunities with different teams after the Dodgers let me go. I was obviously trying to target a team that had a chance to win and play in the playoffs. Thankfully, I’m here.”

Ahmed is hitting a combined .232 this season with two homers and 17 RBIs in 69 games. He is a career .234 hitter with 72 homers and 339 RBIs in 957 games.

McCoy, 29, has not played since Sept. 14, and the move is retroactive to Thursday. He has played in 19 games for San Diego this season, batting 10-for-49. In 25 career games with the Padres and Toronto Blue Jays (2023), McCoy is 10-for-50 with three RBIs.

Brito, 26, was 1-2 with a 4.12 ERA, 10 walks and 29 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings over 26 relief appearances for the Padres this season.

–Field Level Media