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Padres' Song Sung-mun sent back to minors after fleeting moment in MLB

Published: 28 Apr. 2026, 12:20

San Diego Padres' Song Sung-mun plays against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 26. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Song Sung-mun of the San Diego Padres has been sent back to the minors after a brief appearance in the major leagues that didn't even include stepping into the batter's box.

The Padres announced Monday that they optioned the Korean infielder back to Triple-A El Paso. The move came a day after Song made his MLB debut as a pinch-runner against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second game of their Mexico City series. Song ran for catcher Luis Campusano and did not get to hit in that game.

Song had been called up from El Paso as the team's 27th player prior to the first game in Mexico City on Saturday. MLB teams are allowed to add an extra player to their usual 26-man roster for international games.

Song, a former All-Star in the KBO, signed a four-year contract with the Padres in December 2025. He began the 2026 season on the injured list while dealing with an oblique strain and spent weeks in the minors in rehab.

Song had six hits across his past three games before the call-up. In 20 games in Triple-A, Song has a .293/.369/.320 line, along with 12 RBIs, but zero home runs or steals.

Song's demotion leaves just two Korean players in MLB, both of whom were his teammates with the Kiwoom Heroes in the KBO: Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants and Kim Hye-seong of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Yonhap