Ethan Salas Will Start Game 2 for Padres
The 20-year-old becomes the youngest catcher to appear in a postseason game on Wednesday.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Baseball
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The San Diego Padres have named 20-year-old Ethan Salas as the starting catcher for Game 2 against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, October 1, 2026. This start makes Salas the youngest catcher to ever appear in a Major League Baseball postseason game.
Why it matters
Salas surpassed the long-standing record held by Bob Didier, who was 20 years and 230 days old when he played in the 1969 NLCS. His inclusion signals a significant lineup shift for San Diego as they look to build on their 8-0 Game 1 victory.
Ethan Salas enters the game at 20 years and 121 days old, breaking the record previously set by Bob Didier in 1969. The move follows a decisive 8-0 shutout victory in Game 1 for the Padres.
The players
Ethan Salas
He is a 20-year-old catcher for the San Diego Padres who is setting records for his age.
Bob Didier
He was the previous record holder for the youngest catcher to appear in a postseason game.
Nick Pivetta
He is the starting pitcher for the San Diego Padres in the second game of the series.
Kevin Gausman
He is the starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs in the second game of the series.
Luis Campusano
He is a catcher for the San Diego Padres who was moved to the bench for Game 2.
The details
The Padres officially moved Luis Campusano to the bench to make room for Salas in the starting battery. Nick Pivetta is slated to start on the mound for San Diego, while Kevin Gausman will take the starting pitcher role for Chicago.
Timeline
Wednesday, October 1, 2026, marks the occurrence of Game 2.
The 1969 season was when Bob Didier set the previous record.
Season Trajectory
Salas stepping into the starting role behind the plate fundamentally alters the Padres' defensive configuration for the remainder of the postseason. This decision marks a departure from the reliance on veteran depth, prioritizing the young prospect for the high-stakes series against Chicago.
The Padres are moving Luis Campusano to the bench to accommodate Salas in the starting lineup for Game 2. San Diego viewers can watch the broadcast starting at 7:00 PM Pacific Time.
The takeaway
The move to start Salas highlights the organization's confidence in their young talent despite the pressure of the MLB playoffs. This choice could provide a defensive spark for the Padres as they aim to advance further in the series.
Further reading
For more on the team's postseason progress, visit the San Diego Baseball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
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