Padres designate catcher Blake Hunt for assignment after Pivetta returns from IL

The Padres announced the reinstatement of right-hander Nick Pivetta from the 60-day injured list, per MLB Trade Rumors. To create an active roster opening, fellow righty Jhony Brito was optioned to Triple-A El Paso. On the 40-man roster, catcher Blake Hunt was designated for assignment.

The move arrives as San Diego sits 75-68 (.524), third in the NL West and 11 games back, with a Wild Card ranking of 4th and 0.5 games relative to the cut line. The Padres are competing with the Diamondbacks for the final Wild Card playoff spot, making roster flexibility and pitching depth urgent in early September.

What happened

Pivetta's return from the 60-day injured list clears a path for the right-hander to rejoin the rotation. A week removed from progressing through a bullpen session at Petco Park, Pivetta is set to start Monday against the Washington Nationals. His activation required two corresponding moves: Brito's option to Triple-A and Hunt's designation for assignment.

Hunt, 27, began the 2026 season on a minor-league deal with San Diego. He was added to the big-league roster in June when Freddy Fermin landed on the injured list, per MLB Trade Rumors. At that time, Luis Campusano was already on the IL, leaving Hunt and Rodolfo Durán to form the catching duo. When Fermin returned from the injured list later that month, Hunt was optioned back to the minors.

By mid-July, both Fermin and Campusano had come off the IL, pushing Durán and Hunt further down the depth chart. When rosters expanded from 26 to 28 players at the start of September, prospect Ethan Salas was called up to add catching depth. With three catchers on the active roster and two on optional assignment in El Paso, the Padres determined Hunt was surplus to requirements.

Why it matters

Pivetta's return addresses a critical need for a Padres rotation navigating a tight Wild Card race. The right-hander's availability adds depth to a staff managing injuries—Joe Musgrove remains sidelined and frustrated with his recovery, per Posterior reporting from September 5, with the club weighing alternative roles for his potential return.

Hunt's designation for assignment reflects the organizational depth chart reality: with Salas, Fermin, Campusano, and Durán ahead of him, the 27-year-old catcher has become expendable. With the trade deadline behind them, Hunt will be placed on waivers, per MLB Trade Rumors. Catching depth is typically in demand across the league, so he could draw interest despite his limited major-league track record.

The timing underscores the Padres' priorities: pitching depth for a playoff push outweighs carrying a fifth catcher with no clear path to playing time. Hunt's brief June stint—a necessity when two catchers were injured—has given way to a deeper, healthier roster that no longer requires his services.

The numbers

Hunt's major-league résumé consists of three plate appearances across two games, all strikeouts, with nine innings behind the plate. His minor-league production tells a different story. Since the beginning of 2023, he has accumulated 1,005 plate appearances with a .259/.339/.467 line, translating to a 101 wRC+, per MLB Trade Rumors. At Triple-A this year, he posted a .301/.381/.617 line and 131 wRC+. He carries a solid reputation for his defensive work on the farm.

The gap between Hunt's Triple-A performance and his major-league opportunity illustrates the challenge for organizational depth catchers: strong minor-league numbers do not guarantee playing time when a club's catching corps is healthy and includes a top prospect like Salas.

Where the club stands

San Diego enters Monday's series against Washington at 75-68, holding the fourth Wild Card spot but only 0.5 games above the cut line. The Padres are competing directly with Arizona for the final playoff berth, making every roster decision and pitching availability consequential. Pivetta's return to the rotation provides immediate reinforcement as the club navigates the final month of the regular season.

The Nationals series runs through Wednesday, with Pivetta slated to start the opener Monday at Petco Park. Jake Irvin is the probable starter for Washington. Wednesday's probable starter for San Diego has not been announced, while Jackson Kent is listed for the Nationals.

San Diego's Wild Card positioning makes the next three weeks a sprint. The club is riding a one-game winning streak and needs every available arm to hold off Arizona and secure a playoff berth.

What we don't know yet

Hunt's waiver status remains unresolved. He is still optionable for the remainder of this season but will be out of options in 2027, per MLB Trade Rumors. Whether another organization claims him on waivers, or whether San Diego retains him on the 40-man roster, has not been determined. Under league rules, the Padres have seven days to trade, release, or place him on waivers before a decision is required.

The lack of options next year could make Hunt more appealing to a club seeking catching depth that can be shuttled between the majors and Triple-A in the short term, but less attractive to one planning for 2027 roster flexibility.

What to watch

Pivetta's performance in his return start Monday against the Nationals will signal whether the right-hander is ready to contribute down the stretch. The Padres' catching situation will also bear monitoring—with Salas now in the majors and Hunt designated, the organization's confidence in its catching depth for a potential playoff run is on display.

Musgrove's recovery timeline and any further roster adjustments as September progresses will shape San Diego's ability to compete for that final Wild Card spot. The Padres have 19 games remaining to hold off Arizona and secure their playoff berth, and the rotation depth Pivetta provides could prove decisive in that race.

Hunt's waiver outcome will clarify whether another organization values his Triple-A production and defensive reputation enough to claim him, or whether he clears waivers and returns to the Padres' system on an outright assignment. For a 27-year-old catcher with limited major-league experience but strong minor-league numbers, the next week will determine his immediate future.