Padres re-sign Hart to 1-year deal with 2027 option

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Left-hander Kyle Hart is staying with the San Diego Padres, agreeing Monday to a $1.2-million, one-year contract that includes a club option for 2027.

Hart gets a $1-million salary for 2026, and the Padres have a $2.5-million option with a $200,000 buyout.

The option price would escalate by $250,000 each for 16 and 20 starts next year, and $500,000 apiece for 24, 28 and 32. The buyout would increase by $100,000 each for 50, 55 and 60 games pitched.

Hart, who turns 33 on Sunday, went 3-3 with a 5.86 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP in six starts and 14 relief appearances for the Padres this year. He began the season as the Padres' No. 5 starter, spent time in the minors, and returned to San Diego as an effective reliever down the stretch of the club's 90-win season.

San Diego had declined a $5-million option with a $500,000 buyout for next season on Hart, who was selected as the top pitcher in South Korea while pitching for the NC Dinos in 2024.

A former 19th-round pick in the amateur draft, Hart spent eight seasons mostly in the U.S. minor leagues, making his only previous major-league appearances in 2020 with four games for the Boston Red Sox.