Ethan Salas called up to San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres have called up 20-year-old catcher Ethan Salas to the Major Leagues as part of the September roster expansion. Salas, the organization’s top prospect and the 23rd-ranked prospect in MLB, joins the team in Cincinnati.

If Salas appears behind the plate, he will become the youngest catcher to play in a Major League game since Hall of Famer Ivan Rodriguez in 1991. His promotion comes at a critical time for the Padres, who are in a race for a National League Wild Card spot and facing injuries to catchers Luis Rengifo and Gavin Sheets.

Salas has demonstrated strong performance in the minor leagues, batting .326 with a .949 OPS in 24 games with the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas. His development has been non-linear; after being signed as a highly touted international prospect in 2023, he faced offensive struggles in 2024 and missed most of the 2025 season due to a back injury. He has since rebounded, showcasing both defensive skills and offensive potential.