Padres announce roster move ahead of Nationals series

With a huge stretch coming up for the San Diego Padres, where their trade deadline plans could change drastically, the Padres got some good news coming out of the All-Star break.

The Padres announced that infielder/outfielder Gavin Sheets was activated off the Paternity list, and catcher Luis Campusano was optioned back down to Triple-A El Paso.

We have activated INF/OF Gavin Sheets from the Paternity List and optioned C Luis Campusano to Triple-A El Paso.

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 18, 2025

Sheets has been having a breakout season in 2025 with the Padres. After spending the previous four seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Sheets has turned the corner and become an integral part of the Padres' offense.

The 29-year-old has played in 92 games for the Padres, and in that time, has been one of the team's best hitters. Going by OPS, Sheets' .775 OPS is the third best on the Padres, behind only Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr.

He has 84 hits, 36 runs scored, 15 doubles, one triple, 14 home runs, 50 RBIs, 27 walks, and 68 in 317 at-bats. His .264 batting average is the highest of his career, as is his .324 on-base percentage. 

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Getting him back in the lineup is huge, especially with the lack of outfield depth. He can slide into the left field spot for now, as the Padres explore trade options to move him back to designated hitter.

Campusano, on the other hand, has been a major disappointment this season. After an encouraging 41 games in 2023, he's regressed significantly. In 2025, through 21 at-bats, Campusano doesn't have a hit. He has six walks, no runs scored, and no RBIs.

His struggles at the plate have been too much to keep him in the Majors, even with Elias Diaz and Martin Maldonado being among the worst catchers in the league this season.

This roster move should help the Padres' offense pick up steam, as they look to contend for a postseason spot and further separate themselves from the San Francisco Giants, who are just 0.5 games back of the Padres for the final Wild Card spot.

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