San Diego Padres pitcher Kyle Hart (68) throws against Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
San Diego, California – The San Diego Padres made a notable roster move Friday, optioning left-hander Kyle Hart to Triple-A El Paso and opting for a four-man rotation amid a lighter stretch in the team’s schedule. President of baseball operations A.J. Preller confirmed the decision, which opens the door for right-hander Ryan Bergert to make his major league debut in a long relief role.
Hart, who signed a $1.5 million deal with the Padres after dominating in Korea last year, struggled to replicate his KBO success in San Diego. Over five starts, he posted a 6.00 ERA with 16 strikeouts, a 1.381 WHIP, and six home runs allowed in 21 innings. His most recent outing — a 4.1-inning start against the Detroit Tigers in which he allowed two earned runs — proved to be his final one before Friday’s demotion.
The 31-year-old’s performance in Korea last season had earned him the prestigious Choi Dong-won Award, the KBO’s version of the Cy Young. But while Hart’s 2.69 ERA and 28.8% strikeout rate with the NC Dinos were eye-catching, translating that to MLB-level consistency has proven difficult.
With off-days bookending the Padres’ upcoming schedule, manager Mike Shildt and his staff have opted for a four-man rotation of Michael King, Dylan Cease, Nick Pivetta, and Randy Vasquez — for now. Hart must remain in the minors for a minimum of 15 days, meaning the earliest he could return would be the series against Colorado from May 9–11.
In the meantime, Bergert steps into the bullpen after acting as a starter in Triple-A. Though the 24-year-old posted a 5.16 ERA with El Paso, he features a promising 23.5% strikeout rate and could provide depth as a long reliever.
Vasquez, who secured a rotation spot alongside Hart after Yu Darvish’s early-season injury, has been better at preventing runs despite shaky underlying numbers. His 3.97 ERA is undercut by a low 8.9% strikeout rate and a concerning 16.8% walk rate. His advanced stats suggest regression may be looming.
As for Hart, some speculate a role change could be in the works. Left-handed batters are hitting just .100 against him, while righties have teed off with a .698 slugging percentage. A transition into a lefty specialist could be on the horizon if his struggles continue as a starter.
For now, all eyes will be on Bergert’s debut, whether the Padres’ shortened rotation holds up, or if another shuffle is on the horizon.
