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Padres Re-Sign Martin Maldonado To Minor League Deal

By Anthony Franco | September 1, 2025 at 9:04pm CDT

The Padres have brought back Martín Maldonado on a minor league contract, reports MadFriars. San Diego had designated the veteran catcher for assignment after acquiring Freddy Fermin from Kansas City on deadline day. They released Maldonado a week later.

As it has been more than a month since Maldonado’s last game action, MadFriars adds that he’ll report to the team’s Arizona complex. San Diego’s Triple-A affiliate in El Paso will be in action until September 21. It isn’t known if the Padres intend to assign Maldonado to El Paso once he’s warmed up or will keep him at the complex for the rest of the season.

It’s not clear when the deal was signed, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if this were quietly hammered out over the weekend. If the deal were finalized by August 31, Maldonado would be eligible for San Diego’s playoff roster. He clearly wouldn’t be a first choice to see any action in October, but that’d give them some protection if one of their top two catchers, Fermin or Elias Díaz, suffers an injury.

The Padres still have Luis Campusano on the 40-man roster, but he hasn’t started an MLB game behind the plate all year. San Diego also opted not to recall Campusano with the extra active roster spot that opened today — despite the fact that Campusano is hitting .329/.436/.603 in 91 Triple-A games. They instead continued carrying two infrequently used utility infielders, Will Wagner and Mason McCoy, when Jackson Merrill returned from the injured list. It seems apparent that the Padres have no interest in relying on Campusano in October if Fermin or Díaz were unavailable.

Maldonado is at least familiar with San Diego’s pitching staff if he’s pressed into action. His offensive shortcomings are well known, and he was hitting .204/.245/.327 in 161 plate appearances this year. He was also charged with eight passed balls, second most in MLB, in only 445 innings. He threw out just 13.2% of attempted basestealers. Still, the Padres presumably prefer Maldonado to Campusano as a third catcher, so there’s no harm in keeping him around as injury insurance at a position of weak organizational depth.

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San Diego Padres Transactions Martin Maldonado

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Post a Comment

9 Comments

  1. Longtimecoming

    2 months ago

    Campy seems destined to finding a new team in off season via trade.

    4
    Reply
    • Guybird

      2 months ago

      Yes, something is going on there in that they do not feel he can develop defensively enough as a catcher. He did catch a no hitter from Cease last year, and seems to have upside as a hitter. Whatever it is and whatever team it’s for I hope he can develop enough to get another a major league opportunity.

      3
      Reply
  2. SteveFinleyEnthusiast

    2 months ago

    Somehow, Maldonaldo returned

    3
    Reply
    • Rsox

      2 months ago

      If rosters still expanded to 40 in September it would make sense as an extra coach, since they no longer do i guess they needed minor league depth?

      Reply
      • SteveFinleyEnthusiast

        2 months ago

        Yeah, they do not trust Campusano at all based on this.

        Reply
      • zippytms

        1 month ago

        Since the deal was done before 9/1, Maldonado will be eligible as an injury replacement in the postseason.

        Reply
  3. SportsFan0000

    1 month ago

    Padres have, obviously, lost confidence in Campusano’s defense as a catcher. Campusano proved that he can hit and hit with power @ the MLB level in past major league seasons. Campusano could have been a good option for 1B/DH and pinch hitting duties, but the Padres had other plans and filled those big holes at the trade deadline.

    White Sox, Padres, Rays, Nationals, Rockies could be options
    for Campusano to get “coached up” and work on either his catching game or a position change to 1B/DH/OF.
    This kid just needs plenty of major league ABs to rebuild his offensive value.
    And, Luis needs to listen to his coaching and get serious if he ever wants be a catcher at the MLB level.
    As a former 1st round draft pick, Campusano has all the raw talent. Luis needs to find the right coaching. and listen to his coaches, implement their suggestions to improve his defensive game if he wants to make it as a long term, productive major leaguer.
    Otherwise, he is another “flash in the pan” with big upside who may be flushing the opportunity to be an above average major league player down the toilet.
    Is he still smoking weed?
    Normally, I don’t care since its not on the banned substance list.
    But, for some, it could be a motivation killer and could hamper their efforts to succeed to their highest potential.
    If yes, then maybe lay off the weed and see if that helps with the motivation to improve his game.

    Reply
  4. Dumpster Divin Theo

    1 month ago

    Actually 204/.245/.327 is like high for him

    Reply
  5. SportsFan0000

    1 month ago

    Campusano has produced at the MLB level on offense in prior years
    so he has proven he can hit if he gets enough ABs and playing time.

    However, Campusano’s Defensive regression may have landed him the Padres doghouse.
    Luis is a change of scenery trade candidate.
    Padres may be able to land some use player(s) for him who they can “coach up” to the best of their abilities.

    Campusano was a first round draft pick who has great raw talent.
    Would not be surprised if a different approach by a different coaching staff helped make Campusano an above average major league player on both offense and defense.

    It wouldn’t be the first or the last time that a young player became a “late bloomer” and proved at 27 0r 28 that he was a bona fide major league player with value.

    Reply

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