Versatile Profar signs deal with San Diego

Utility man inks three-year contract worth $21 million

SAN DIEGO – Jurickson Profar, who played five positions for San Diego last season, signed a $21 million, three-year contract Wednesday to remain with the Padres.

Profar had been a free agent. He chose to return to San Diego, which improved significantly this offseason with the additions of starting pitchers Yu Darvish, Blake Snell and Joe Musgrove, and South Korea slugger Kim Ha-seong.

The versatile Profar likely will be coming off the bench. He started last season as the second baseman but was supplanted by rookie Jake Cronenworth and moved to left field, where he filled in for injured Tommy Pham. He also played two games in right field and one each in center and at first base. Kim is expected to compete with Cronenworth at second base.

“I don’t think it matters anymore,” Profar said. “I’m ready to help the team win a World Series.”

Profar said he wasn’t surprised the Padres still had money and the desire to bring him back after making the other moves this offseason.

“I think I did a good job last year. My teammates wanted me here and here I am,” he said.

The Padres ended a 13year playoff drought last year and beat the St. Louis Cardinals in a wild-card series before being swept by the NL West rival Los Angeles Dodgers in the Division Series.

“I think last year we made the first step. This year we’ve gotten even better,” Profar said. “I’m real excited to start going in the direction we want to go, and that’s winning the World Series.”

Profar and Darvish are teammates again after making their big league debuts with the Texas Rangers in 2012.

“I’m very excited. I’m going to learn more Japanese,” Profar said. “When I was with him with the Rangers, he taught me a lot of words. I’m excited to keep improving on my Japanese.”

Profar, who turns 28 on

Demko was tested early and often, with one of his best saves of the night coming midway through the first period when he stood down Tkachuk on a breakaway.

The Vancouver goalie faced a flurry of action on Ottawa’s first power play, with the Canucks’ penalty killers struggling to clear the puck from around the crease. Norris took advantage of the commotion and buried a wrist shot 8:16 into the period, tying the game at 1-1.

Defenseman Jalen Chatfield slotted back into Vancouver’s lineup after missing two games with an upper-body injury . ... Earlier on Wednesday, the Sens dealt defenseman Christian Jaros to the San Jose Sharks for forward Jack Kopacka and a seventh-round pick in the 2022 entry draft.

UP NEXT

Ottawa won’t have to wait long for a chance to avenge Wednesday’s loss. The two sides will battle again on Thursday, closing out a three-game series.