Padres Re-Sign LHP Kyle Hart: One-Year $1M Deal, 2027 Option

The San Diego Padres just brought back veteran left-hander Kyle Hart on a one-year, $1.2 million deal. This contract could keep him in San Diego through 2027.

Clearly, the team sees something in Hart. His versatility and recent performance—both in Major League Baseball and overseas—haven’t gone unnoticed.

He’s bounced around, from minor league journeyman to KBO standout, then back as a valuable MLB arm. Hart’s journey really is about perseverance and adapting to whatever comes his way.

Kyle Hart’s New Deal with the Padres

Hart’s contract sets a $1 million base salary for 2026. There’s also a club option for 2027 at $2.5 million, with a $200,000 buyout attached.

This structure gives the Padres some financial breathing room. They keep an experienced arm in their pitching mix without breaking the bank.

Why the Padres Made the Move

Earlier, the Padres declined a $5 million option with a $500,000 buyout on Hart. But after watching him late in the 2025 season, they changed course and brought him back at a friendlier price.

Hart’s ability to switch between starting and bullpen roles turned out to be huge during their 90-win campaign. Not every pitcher can do that.

2025 Season Performance

Hart turns 33 on Sunday. His 2025 season was a rollercoaster—he started as San Diego’s No. 5 starter, then hit some bumps and landed in the minors for a bit.

When he came back, Hart shifted to a relief role and gave the bullpen some much-needed stability. He adapted fast and made it work.

By the Numbers

Over 6 starts and 14 relief appearances, Hart posted:

• 3-3 record
• 5.86 ERA
• 1.19 WHIP

The ERA’s not pretty, but that low WHIP tells a different story. He limited walks and extra-base hits, which matters more than people think.

Success in South Korea

Before his MLB resurgence, Hart was dominating in the Korean Baseball Organization with the NC Dinos in 2024. That stint overseas really changed things for him.

An Award-Winning Season

That year, Hart put up some serious numbers:

• KBO-leading 182 strikeouts
• 13-3 record
• 2.69 ERA over 26 starts
• Second place in wins and ERA rankings
• Choi Dong-won Award (KBO’s top pitcher honor)

He showed off his control, walking just 38 hitters out of 631 batters in 158 innings. That kind of command is rare and, honestly, pretty impressive.

A Career Defined by Persistence

Hart’s path has never been straightforward. The Red Sox picked him in the 19th round of the draft, and he spent eight seasons grinding in the minors before his big-league debut in 2020.

After a short stint in Boston, he bounced back to the minors, took a shot overseas, and eventually found his way to the Padres. That’s a lot of miles for one arm.

The Modern Journeyman’s Blueprint

Honestly, Hart’s story is becoming more common in baseball these days. Guys go overseas, sharpen their skills, and come back with a whole new approach.

His ability to adjust to different leagues and roles really shows what today’s professional pitcher needs to do. Adapt or get left behind, right?

What Hart Means for the Padres in 2026

San Diego builds its roster on depth, and Hart fits right in. He’s done both starting and relief, so you can throw him into almost any situation—spot starts, long relief, high-leverage innings, you name it.

The Potential Impact Moving Forward

If Hart can even come close to what he did in the KBO, the Padres might get a steal. A reliable lefty for a bargain? That’s not something you find every day.

This team wants to build on a 90-win season. Having someone like Hart in the bullpen could be what keeps them in the hunt when games really start to matter.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Padres re-sign Hart on $1M deal with 2027 option