Padres Demote Sung-Mun Song, Call Up Red-Hot Outfielder in Major Roster Move

The San Diego Padres have made a roster move ahead of Monday's series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The team has selected the contract of outfielder Dustin Harris, adding him to both the 40-man and active rosters. He's replacing infielder Sung-Mun Song, who was optioned back to Triple-A.

In order to make room on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito was transferred to the 60-day injured list.

We have selected OF Dustin Harris (No. 29) from Triple-A El Paso and optioned INF Sung-Mun Song to El Paso. To make room on the 40-man roster, we transferred RHP Lucas Giolito to the 60-day IL.
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 24, 2026

Who is Dustin Harris?

Harris, 27, joined the Padres on a minor league deal in July. He spent time with the Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox this season before winding up in San Diego.

Harris has been lighting it up for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas since his arrival, slashing .350/.422/.617 with six home runs, 26 RBIs and an OPS of 1.039. He has 14 walks to just 12 strikeouts and has added 10 stolen bases.

The Padres released Harris in early August after less than a month in the organization. He was then quickly re-signed, and is now getting his first opportunity with San Diego at the major league level.

Harris is a former 11th-round pick by the then-Oakland Athletics in 2019. He made his MLB debut with the Texas Rangers in 2024 and has appeared in a total of 38 games at the major league level over the last three years, hitting .225 with two home runs, 10 RBIs, five stolen bases and an OPS of .678.

He has experience at all three outfield spots and brings plus speed.

Why Are the Padres Sending Down Sung-Mun Song?

As for the corresponding move, the Padres are sending down Song after an extended stint at the major league level that lasted more than four months.

However, as of late, he's failed to receive any consistent playing time

Since Aug. 12, Song has taken just three at-bats, all of them coming in the Aug. 19 game against the New York Mets. He's started just four games in August, and only has two hits this month.

Overall, Song is hitting .202 with one home run, 15 RBIs and an OPS of .569 across 134 plate appearances in his rookie season. However, the team appears to be looking for more pop off the bench, and could get that with Harris, who also brings great speed.

What's Next for Sung-Mun Song After His Demotion?

Song will now head back to Triple-A, where he'll continue to improve the offensive aspect of his game. It's very possible he returns to MLB before the postseason, or potentially even in October as a defensive replacement and pinch-runner.

Song is in the first season of a four-year, $15 million deal he signed with San Diego. He's 29 years old.

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