Kyle

Hart

Michael King had been set to start on Sunday, but he’ll go on Monday instead — assuming he’s still on the team then. Hart, 33, has posted a 4.87 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a 36/13 K/BB ratio over 40 2/3 innings in 28 appearances with the Padres this season. He is not a recommended streaming option, even against the Giants.

This was a new age ‘short starter game’ with Gusto and his counterpart Germán Márquez combining to throw 5 2/3 innings and 94 pitches. The old heads somewhere screaming at a cloud. Regardless, Gusto flashed some solid stuff with a lively mid-90s fastball that he kept up in the zone, sinker he did a good job to bury low, and deep array of secondaries that he landed for strikes. There could be some mild intrigue here if he eventually builds up to a full starter’s workload. He’s lined up to face the Phillies at home next time out.

Vásquez, who gave up a leadoff homer to Shohei Ohtani last time he faced the Dodgers, still figures to work behind Hart as a bulk guy. It’ll be the first time this year that the Padres have used as an opener in front of him.

Hart returns to San Diego’s bullpen mix with All-Star closer Mason Miller away from the club on bereavement leave. The 33-year-old lefty has posted a lackluster 5.40 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 10/6 K/BB ratio across 16 2/3 innings over 12 appearances for the Padres this season.

Hart returns to the minors after posting a lackluster 5.40 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 10/6 K/BB ratio across 16 2/3 innings over 12 appearances at the highest level this season. He’ll continue operating in long relief for San Diego.

$200,000 is in the form of a buyout of a $2.5 million club option for 2027, so he’ll make barely more than the MLB minimum in 2026. However, the option can increase to $4.5 million and the buyout to $500,000 based on appearances next season. Some of those escalators are based on games started, so it sounds like Hart will get a chance to compete for a rotation spot in spring training. That said, it’s probably best if he returns to the pen.

Hart had a $5 million option for 2026 declined by the Padres last month, so the new deal is presumably worth less than that. The left-hander struggled early on in his first year back from pitching in the KBO and was optioned to Triple-A in May. However, the Padres moved him to the bullpen in the middle of the season and changed his pitch mix and he proved much better in that role. He is off the fantasy radar, but could be a solid real-life reliever for the Padres.

No real surprises here for the Padres as all three will head to free agency. Hart compiled a lackluster 5.86 ERA across 43 innings in his San Diego debut. Wade and Díaz are merely bench players at this stage of their respective careers.

Hart’s removal from San Diego’s relief mix seems to signal that Yuki Matsui and rookie Bradgley Rodriguez are going to make the club’s postseason roster.

Hart will likely operate in a bulk relief role during Sunday’s showdown against the Twins behind opener David Morgan. The 32-year-old innings-eater has struggled to an inflated 5.29 ERA across 32 1/3 innings (nine appearances, six starts) this season in his stateside return.