Kyle Hart Secures His Future with the San Diego Padres
Left-handed pitcher Kyle Hart has reached an agreement with the San Diego Padres for a one-year contract of $1.2 million, which includes a club option for the 2027 season. The news was confirmed this Monday, providing stability to the team.
The agreement sets a salary of $1 million for Hart in 2026. In addition, the Padres have an option for $2.5 million for 2027, with a buyout clause of $200,000.
Hart, who will turn 33 on Sunday, had a mixed season in 2025. He participated in six starts and 14 relief appearances, recording a 3-3 record with a 5.86 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP.
Initially, Hart began the season as the Padres’ fifth starter. After a period in the minor leagues, he returned to San Diego, proving to be an effective reliever during the end of the season, in which the team achieved 90 victories.
The Padres had declined a $5 million option with a $500,000 buyout for next season for Hart, who was recognized as the best pitcher in South Korea while playing for the NC Dinos in 2024.
In 2024, Hart was awarded the Choi Dong-won award in the Korea Baseball Organization, after leading the league with 182 strikeouts. His performance included a 13-3 record with an ERA of 2.69 in 26 starts, ranking second in the league in wins and ERA. In addition, he conceded only 38 walks over 158 innings.
Hart, selected in the nineteenth round of the amateur draft, has spent eight seasons in the minor leagues in the United States. His only previous appearances in the Major Leagues were in 2020, playing four games for the Boston Red Sox.
