Translation result
Remains in Triple-A after completing minor‑league rehab
All‑Star‑caliber infield, solid depth on the bench
Seven‑game winning streak — no reason to tinker with the roster
The outcome was hardly a shock, but making it through a crowded roster proved even tougher than expected.
On the 17th (Korea Standard Time), the San Diego Padres announced they reinstated Song Seong‑moon from the injured list ahead of a home game against the Seattle Mariners and then optioned him to Triple‑A.
He will remain with the Triple‑A squad, but his status has shifted from a major‑league rehab player to a minor‑league player.
Song signed a four‑year, 22.3 billion KRW (approximately $16.7 million) contract with San Diego last December. He hurt a side muscle during January hitting drills, re‑aggravated the injury in spring training and ultimately missed the Opening Day roster.
After landing on the injured list on March 26, Song moved to the Triple‑A El Paso Chihuahuas as a rehab player. He was allowed to retain big‑league status for up to 20 days while appearing in minor‑league rehab games, and he wrapped up that stint after the game on the 16th.
San Diego then had two options: add Song back to the MLB roster or re‑register him on the IL. The club chose to use an option and send him to the minors. Because Song does not have the right to refuse a minor‑league assignment in his contract, he has to accept the team’s decision.
In 16 Triple‑A games, Song hit .276 with 10 RBIs and a .674 OPS.
Those numbers don’t yet justify an immediate promotion. It’s also notable that he finished the stretch with zero home runs and no stolen bases.
But the clearest reason Song didn’t earn a big‑league spot comes down to San Diego’s roster depth.
The Padres boast All‑Star talent across the infield — Jake Cronenworth at second, Xander Bogaerts at short and Manny Machado at third — making it tough for Song to carve out an everyday role. Add franchise star Fernando Tatis Jr., who has even filled in at second base, and there’s very little room for a vacancy.
Ty France, who was brought in as Song’s replacement, has hit .273 over the past eight games, shrinking Song’s window even further.
San Diego is also riding a seven‑game winning streak and has closed the gap on division leader the Los Angeles Dodgers to two games, so there’s no pressing reason to adjust the big‑league roster. With the club playing well and its lineup intact, Song’s immediate chance for a call‑up appears slim.
Veteran Jung‑ho Kang’s warning has started to look prescient.
On his YouTube channel, Kang said, “I told Seong‑moon clearly that San Diego was one of the teams he should avoid,” a blunt assessment he has voiced previously.
He predicted that breaking into San Diego’s starting lineup would be difficult, and that critique now carries weight.
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