San Diego Padres promote top prospect Ethan Salas to the major leagues

The San Diego Padres promoted catcher Ethan Salas to their major league roster on Monday. At 21 years old, Salas becomes the youngest player to appear at the catcher position in a game since Ivan Rodriguez in 1991. The organization called up the prospect as part of a roster expansion from 26 to 28 players for the final month of the season. Salas signed with the team out of Venezuela for $5.6 million in 2023 and has batted.326 with three home runs since his promotion to Triple-A in July. Following a 2025 season shortened by a back injury, the left-handed hitter now joins the club during a competitive Wild Card race. Evaluators have noted his defensive skill and recent progress at the plate as the team integrates him into the lineup for the final stretch of the season.

• 1:59 PMYahoo Sports — Padres top prospect to become MLB's youngest catcher since 1991