Martín Maldonado rejoined the Padres on a minor-league contract after being designated for assignment and released following the Freddy Fermin acquisition. He will report to San Diego's Arizona complex after more than a month without game action, with Triple-A El Paso active through September 21. If signed by August 31 he would be eligible for the playoff roster, offering emergency catching depth behind Freddy Fermin and Elias Díaz. Luis Campusano remains on the 40-man roster but has not started an MLB game and was not recalled despite strong Triple-A numbers. Maldonado is familiar with the pitching staff but has clear offensive and defensive limitations.
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.
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.
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.
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