Padres Face Catcher Concerns After Fermin Injury
A concerning moment unfolded during Wednesday’s game between the San Diego Padres and the Seattle Mariners as starting catcher Freddy Fermin was forced to leave the game in the top of the third inning. Fermin sustained the injury after a foul ball struck his mask, a painful blow off the bat of Brendan Donovan.
The impact sent Fermin to the ground, and he remained down for several minutes before being escorted off the field and into the clubhouse for evaluation. The Padres quickly turned to Luis Campusano to fill the crucial catcher position, the only other catcher available on the active or 40-man roster.
Fermin’s Impact and Recent Performance
Fermin arrived in San Diego with high expectations, having been acquired ahead of last year’s trade deadline in a deal that saw the Padres part with pitching prospects Stephen Kolek and Ryan Bergert. He finished the 2025 season strong, appearing in 42 games and posting a .244 batting average with two home runs and 14 RBIs. This season, however, Fermin has been utilized more strategically, often entering games as a defensive replacement.
Prior to Wednesday’s unfortunate incident, Fermin was hitting .161 (5-for-31) with two RBIs and an OPS of .496 in 15 games this year.
Campusano Seizes the Opportunity
With Fermin sidelined, all eyes turned to Luis Campusano. The 27-year-old catcher has been making a strong case for himself, hitting .333 (7-for-21) with a home run, four RBIs, and an impressive OPS of 1.030 entering Wednesday’s game. He’s also developed a strong rapport with Padres pitcher Michael King, serving as his preferred catcher and demonstrating excellent game management skills.
The Padres are hoping Campusano can continue his stellar performance and provide stability behind the plate during Fermin’s absence.
Contingency Plans and Future Outlook
In the event of another injury to Campusano, the Padres have infielder Ty France prepared to don the catcher’s gear as an emergency option. However, the team is likely to evaluate Fermin’s condition on Thursday and consider adding another catcher to the roster if necessary. Rodolfo Durán, currently playing for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, is a potential candidate, but would need to be added to the 40-man roster.
Durán was having a productive game on Wednesday before being removed, going 2-for-4 with a home run and five RBIs, and currently boasts a .227 batting average with an OPS of .772 in Triple-A.
First pitch for Thursday’s game is scheduled for 5:40 p.m. PT. The Padres will undoubtedly be closely monitoring Fermin’s progress and making adjustments to their roster as needed.
Stay tuned for further updates on Fermin’s condition and the Padres’ catcher situation.
Official MLB Website for more information.
