Padres' Song Sung-mun Makes MLB Debut as Pinch Runner; Giants' Lee Jung-hoo Has 4-Hit Game

Lead

South Korean infielder Song Sung-mun made his Major League Baseball debut on Sunday, appearing as a pinch runner for the San Diego Padres in the second game of their Mexico City Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Padres called Song up from Triple-A El Paso as their extra 27th player for the international series, a roster allowance unique to such events, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.

Song, who signed a four-year contract with the Padres in December 2025, began the season on the injured list after sustaining an oblique strain during spring training. He had been working his way back through the minors before receiving the call-up.

Coverage Comparison

All reports on Song's debut and subsequent demotion come from Yonhap News Agency, which provided extensive coverage of the events. The agency first reported his call-up on April 26, detailing his excitement and his six hits in his past three games in Triple-A. The following day, Yonhap reported his pinch-running appearance. On April 28, the agency confirmed that the Padres had optioned Song back to Triple-A El Paso after the brief stint.

Key Claims

• Song Sung-mun was called up from Triple-A El Paso to serve as the 27th player for the Padres during the Mexico City Series against the Diamondbacks, according to Yonhap.
• Song signed a four-year contract with the Padres in December 2025, per multiple reports.
• He began the 2026 season on the injured list due to an oblique strain, as stated by Yonhap.
• Song made his MLB debut as a pinch runner in the second game of the series, entering for catcher Luis Campusano in the eighth inning, Yonhap reported.
• After the game, the Padres optioned Song back to Triple-A El Paso, per Yonhap's report on April 28.
• Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants had a four-hit game on Sunday, helping the Giants beat the Miami Marlins 6-3, according to a report carried by a single outlet.

Perspectives

From the Padres' perspective, the decision to use Song as a pinch runner and then demote him reflects the team's strategy of utilizing the extra roster spot for international games while managing his return from injury. Yonhap's coverage notes that Song did not make the starting lineup on Saturday, indicating he was brought up primarily for depth.

For Song, the brief call-up was a dream come true, as he expressed through an interpreter: "It's really exciting to be here. It's like a dream for me." He also mentioned his desire to contribute however possible, despite the short stint.

The wider Korean baseball community sees Song as the third South Korean in MLB this season, joining his former Kiwoom Heroes teammates Lee Jung-hoo of the Giants and Kim Hye-seong of the Dodgers, a fact highlighted in Yonhap's reporting.