For the longest time, San Diego Padres fans were begging the front office staff to drop the now 39-year-old catcher Martín Maldonado. Posting well-below-average marks on both offense and defense, Maldonado was holding a roster spot that wasn't necessarily merited. The Friars are on a path to the postseason, and it made no sense for him to be on the team.
Then finally, on July 31, San Diego DFA'd Maldonado and officially released him on August 6. Now, just about one month later, the Friars are bringing Maldonado back. In a bit of a head-scratching move, San Diego is signing him to a minor league deal, and he could be eligible for the postseason roster if any other Padres catcher gets hurt.