Review 14 hours ago

Padres minors: Ethan Salas hits first homer of 2026; Jeremiah Estrada begins rehab assignment

Ethan Salas is beginning to shake off the rust. Serving as the designated hitter on Friday, the 19-year-old catcher hit his first home run in more than a year in Double-A San Antonio’s 8-7 loss to visiting Amarillo. Salas went 2-for-3 with two walks, two RBIs and two runs scored. The home run was his first since late in 2024 at high Single-A Fort Wayne. Salas played just 10 games last year ...

Ethan Salas is beginning to shake off the rust.

Serving as the designated hitter on Friday, the 19-year-old catcher hit his first home run in more than a year in Double-A San Antonio’s 8-7 loss to visiting Amarillo.

Salas went 2-for-3 with two walks, two RBIs and two runs scored.

The home run was his first since late in 2024 at high Single-A Fort Wayne.

Salas played just 10 games last year with the Missions before a back injury sidelined him until spring training.

Salas is hitting .280/.357/.400 with six walks and 15 strikeouts through 15 games so far this season.

Left fielder Tirso Ornelas (.615 OPS) drove in three runs on two hits and shortstop Ryan Jackson (.625 OPS) went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored.

San Antonio is 5-14.

Friday’s scoreboard

TRIPLE-A EL PASO (11-14)

Reno 7, Chihuahuas 6 (10): RF Nick Schnell (.885 OPS) hit his fifth homer and 2B Nate Mondou (.742 OPS) hit his third homer and finished a double shy of the cycle. 1B Pablo Reyes (.882 OPS) went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. RHP Garrett Hawkins (2.08 ERA) allowed five unearned runs in two-thirds of an inning in blowing the save.

HIGH SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (6-13)

Wisconsin 11, TinCaps 3: LHP Kash Mayfield (1-1, 1.69 ERA) allowed three runs on three hits and two walks in four innings. It was the first runs that Mayfield had allowed this season. DH Alex McCoy (.979 OPS) went 2-for-4 with his fourth homer and eighth double. He drove in all three TinCaps runs.

LOW SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (10-9)

Storm 12, Visalia 8: RHP Jeremiah Estrada (elbow) began a rehab assignment with a strikeout over a perfect inning in earning the win. LHP Kruz Schoolcraft (15.95 ERA) struck out three but allowed four runs — three earned — on seven hits and two walks in three innings in the start. 1B Luke Cantwell (.729 OPS) went 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs. CF Ryan Wideman (1.002 OPS) went 2-for-5 with a triple, his 13th steal and two runs scored. C Victor Duarte (.996 OPS) drove in two runs on two hits.