The San Diego Padres designated catcher Blake Hunt for assignment Monday, a 40-man roster move that cleared space for right-hander Nick Pivetta’s return from the 60-day injured list, via the MLB transaction log.
Reliever Jhony Brito was optioned to Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding active-roster transaction.
Hunt, 27, is a former second-round pick. The Padres selected him 69th overall in 2017 out of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, and signed him for $1.6 million. He never reached the majors in his first tour with the organization.
San Diego included him in the December 2020 package that brought Blake Snell from Tampa Bay. From there Hunt passed through the Rays, Mariners, and Orioles systems before returning to the Padres on a minor-league contract last December.
He finally made his major-league debut this June after 552 minor-league games. Called up when Freddy Fermin landed on the concussion list, Hunt appeared in two games against Texas, going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and catching nine innings.
When Fermin returned, Hunt was optioned. He spent the rest of the summer producing at Triple-A El Paso, where he slashed .301/.381/.617 with 11 home runs and 32 RBI in 42 games.
The Padres’ catching picture changed around him. Luis Campusano and Fermin both returned from the injured list, Rodolfo Durán was optioned, and top prospect Ethan Salas was promoted when rosters expanded in September.
With three catchers on the big-league roster and additional depth in El Paso, Hunt became expendable when Pivetta needed a 40-man spot.
Because the trade deadline has passed, Hunt will be placed on waivers. His major-league sample is tiny and unsuccessful, but he has been a roughly league-average hitter in the high minors since 2023 and still has a reputation as a solid defensive catcher.
Clubs looking for catching depth could take a look. He remains optionable this season.
For a player once viewed as a high-upside prep catcher, the DFA is another reminder of how crowded and unforgiving the position can be.
Hunt’s path back to San Diego produced a brief big-league cup of coffee. Whether another organization gives him a longer look will be decided on the waiver wire.
