Padres Catcher Blake Hunt Sidelined by Oblique Injury

Injury could open door for Luis Campusano to earn more playing time behind the plate.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The San Diego Padres have shut down catcher Blake Hunt due to an oblique injury, as reported by Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Hunt's timeline for return is currently unknown, but the 27-year-old is expected to be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

Why it matters

Hunt was expected to compete with Luis Campusano for the Padres' backup catcher role this spring, but his injury could now give Campusano a clearer path to more playing time behind the plate. The Padres' catching depth is also thin, so Hunt's absence may prompt the team to explore external options to provide insurance.

The details

Hunt, a former second-round pick by the Padres, has bounced around the minors in recent years, playing for the Rays, Orioles, and Mariners organizations. He was called up to the majors for the first time in 2024 but has yet to make his MLB debut. In 2025, he had a strong season at Triple-A Tacoma, slashing .272/.368/.452 with 8 home runs. The Padres signed him to a minor league deal this offseason, and he was competing for the backup catcher job in spring training.

  • Hunt was shut down due to the oblique injury in early March 2026.

The players

Blake Hunt

A 27-year-old catcher who was a second-round draft pick by the Padres in 2017 and has spent time in the Rays, Orioles, and Mariners organizations.

Luis Campusano

The Padres' 24-year-old catcher who is out of minor league options and was expected to compete with Hunt for the backup job behind Freddy Fermin.

Freddy Fermin

The Padres' primary starting catcher heading into the 2026 season.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The Padres recently shut down catcher Blake Hunt due to an oblique injury, as reported by Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.”

— Kevin Acee, Reporter (San Diego Union-Tribune)

What’s next

If Hunt's injury is severe enough to sideline him long-term, the Padres could look to add external catching depth to provide insurance behind Fermin and Campusano.

The takeaway

Hunt's injury opens the door for Campusano to potentially earn more playing time as the Padres' backup catcher, but the team's overall catching depth remains thin and they may need to explore external options to bolster that position group.