Padres Add Another Veteran Outfielder to 40-Man Roster

Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Padres Add Another Veteran Outfielder to 40-Man Roster

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nicholas Covone | Last updated Aug 9, 2026 6:29 PM ET

The San Diego Padres have been picking up steam since the All-Star Break, going 13-9 since the break and 6-4 in their last 10 games. The team still sits in third place in a crowded National League West division.

The Padres decided to make a post-deadline addition to their roster on Sunday afternoon, one that will look to improve their bench.

Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic , The Padres are in agreement with veteran outfielder Austin Hays on a major-league deal.

Outfielder Austin Hays is in agreement with the Padres on a major-league deal, source tells @TheAthletic
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 9, 2026

The 31-year-old was recently released by the Chicago White Sox after only playing 12 games with the major league team.

In those 12 games, the former All-Star slashed .233/.250/.326, a .576 OPS, with one home run, seven RBI and one double.

Hays is normally a solid third or fourth outfielder on a major league roster, posting a .745 career OPS with 84 home runs and 319 RBI in 694 games played.

Hays spent most of his career with the Baltimore Orioles but has since bounced around to the Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, the White Sox and now the Padres.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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