AVANDATIMES.COM – The San Diego Padres have further narrowed their Spring Training roster as the club prepares for the upcoming regular season, announcing the reassignment of two catchers to minor league camp on Monday. The decision to move Blake Hunt and Anthony Villar out of the big-league clubhouse comes as the organization enters the final stretch of its spring preparations.
With only about ten days remaining before Opening Day, the Padres’ Major League camp now consists of 54 active players. AvandaTimes observed that the reduction in personnel allows the coaching staff to focus more intensively on the core group expected to travel north for the start of the 2026 campaign.
Impact on the Catching Depth Chart
The departure of Hunt and Villar leaves the Padres with just three catchers in the Major League environment. The remaining trio includes:
Freddy Fermin: Widely considered a lock for the active roster.Luis Campusano: Expected to play a primary role behind the plate this season.Rodolfo Duran: Currently participating as a non-roster invitee.
While Fermin and Campusano are virtually guaranteed spots on the 26-man roster, Duran remains the primary depth option still in camp. The team confirmed the transactions via an official statement on social media, noting the updated roster count.
“We have reassigned C Blake Hunt and C Anthony Vilar to minor league camp. With today’s moves, we now have 54 players in Major League camp.”
As the Padres continue to evaluate their options, further cuts are anticipated in the coming days to reach the mandatory roster limit. The reassignment of Hunt and Villar ensures both players will receive consistent playing time in the minor league system to maintain their development as the professional season approaches.