Hart (1-0) earned the win over Cleveland on Monday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four batters over five innings.

EDGE Analysis

Hart's start was his first appearance in the majors since he pitched in four games for the Red Sox in 2020. The southpaw worked exclusively in the minors from 2021-2023, then spent last year with the NC Dinos in the KBO, where he pitched well enough to get another big-league look from San Diego. After earning a spot on the Padres' Opening Day roster and a slot in the team's rotation, Hart performed well in his season debut Monday, throwing 51 of 80 pitches for strikes and inducing 10 whiffs while lasting just long enough to pick up the victory. He did yield two homers, but both were of the solo variety, and those were the only runs he surrendered. Hart is next lined up to take on the Cubs this weekend.

Hart will open the 2025 season as the fifth starter for the Padres, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hart didn't perform well in his final start of the spring, surrendering six runs over 4.2 innings of work, but he did enough to win a rotation spot over Stephen Kolek. Kolek was optioned to Triple-A El Paso, meaning Randy Vasquez will take over the No. 4 spot and Hart will round out the rotation. He'll tentatively be scheduled to make his regular-season debut March 31 against the Guardians.

Hart pitched 4.2 innings in a Cactus League game against Cleveland on Saturday, allowing six runs on five hits and no walks while striking out four batters.

EDGE Analysis

Hart was tagged by Carlos Santana for a two-run home run in the first inning and then served up another two-run shot to Brayan Rocchio in the fourth. The southpaw did manage to retire nine straight batters at one point between the two long balls, but this was nonetheless not a very promising performance. Hart is competing for one of two Opening Day rotation spots, with Randy Vasquez and Stephen Kolek the other pitchers in the equation. Among the three, Hart has been the least impressive this spring -- he has a 9.39 ERA and 1.57 WHIP to Vasquez's 3.38 ERA and 1.88 WHIP and Kolek's 2.19 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. However, it's worth noting that Hart also has only two Cactus League appearances under his belt, as he was set back early during the exhibition slate due to the flu.

Hart pitched three innings in a Cactus League contest against Arizona on Sunday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three batters.

EDGE Analysis

Though this was Hart's second start this spring, it's the first one that officially counted, as his previous outing ended after two frames in a game that was ultimately called due to rain. The southpaw wasn't exactly sharp Sunday against the Diamondbacks, but he did allow the Padres a longer look at him by throwing 59 pitches. Hart averaged just 91.1 mph on his fastball, but that's in line with where his velocity has been throughout his professional career. Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union Tribune has speculated that San Diego may not have enough of an opportunity to evaluate Hart this spring to make him a part of the Opening Day rotation, though Acee remarked following the hurler's outing Sunday that Hart could still be a "viable candidate" if he's able to push up his pitch count adequately in his subsequent spring appearances. Even if Hart does ramp up enough during what's left of spring play, he's not guaranteed to earn a starting role, as the Padres are also considering Stephen Kolek and Randy Vasquez for their final rotation spot.

Hart's lack of game action so far this spring may lessen his chance of beginning the regular season as San Diego's fifth starter, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hart has pitched in only one Cactus League game so far, and he got in just two innings (without allowing a run) before the contest was stopped due to rain. He then came down with the flu, which temporarily delayed his progression. The left-hander is scheduled to start Sunday against the Angels, and he could get in two more appearances after that, so it's not out of the question that Hart will be able to build up enough to win a job in the rotation. However, manager Mike Shildt recently acknowledged that the Padres haven't had much of a chance to evaluate Hart -- who hasn't pitched in the majors since 2020 and played last year in Korea -- for a rotation role, saying, "We're not as familiar with him, but we like what we've seen. Unfortunately for him, he had a little bit of illness that set him back in his progression, but he can be in a progression to take that role. Just haven't had as much time to evaluate him." If Hart ends up not being able to make the Opening Day rotation, Stephen Kolek and Randy Vasquez would be the leading candidates to begin the campaign as San Diego's fifth starter.

Hart signed Thursday with the Padres on a one-year, $1 million contract that includes a $5 million club option for 2026, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After reaching a four-year deal with Nick Pivetta on Wednesday, the Padres have further bolstered their rotation depth with the addition of Hart, a 32-year-old lefty whose lone MLB action came back in 2020, when he tossed 11 innings for the Red Sox. Hart was able to secure an MLB deal on the back of his standout performance this past season in the Korea Baseball Organization with the NC Dinos, as he took home the league's equivalent of the Cy Young Award while turning in a 2.69 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 182:38 K:BB in 157 innings. The lower caliber of competition in the KBO certainly helped Hart achieve his lofty results, but it's been increasingly common in recent years for American pitchers to find MLB success upon returning stateside following impressive stints in Korea, with Erick Fedde and Merrill Kelly both standing out as notable examples. Hart will likely still have to impress in spring training to secure his spot in the San Diego rotation, with knuckleballer Matt Waldron representing Hart's top challenger for the No. 5 spot.

Hart is seeking a major-league contract this offseason following a successful season in the Korea Baseball Organization, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hart, who turns 32 on Saturday, posted a 15.55 ERA in four appearances with the Red Sox in 2020 before bouncing around in the upper minors the next three seasons. He appeared to find something with the NC Dinos in 2024 in the KBO, though, holding a 2.69 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 182:38 K:BB over 157 innings covering 26 starts. The lefty is technically still under contract with the Dinos until Dec. 1 and they plan to make an effort to re-sign him, but Hart wants to explore interest from major-league clubs, too. Erick Fedde parlayed a successful one-year stint with the Dinos into a $15 million contract last offseason and then pitched well in 2024 in his return to the majors. Hart hopes to follow the same roadmap.

Hart signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Hart was let go by the Phillies in April, and he'll now head to Seattle where he'll likely serve as organizational depth. He last appeared in the big leagues during the 2020 season with Boston, when he struggled to a 15.55 ERA and 3.09 WHIP with a 13:10 K:BB across 11 innings.

Hart was released by the Phillies on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Hart made one scoreless appearance with Triple-A Lehigh Valley back on April 8 but hadn't pitched since. He'll now look to latch on elsewhere.

Hart signed a minor-league contract Tuesday with the Phillies, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hart has logged only four career appearances at the MLB level, all with the Red Sox during the COVID-condensed 2020 season. The 30-year-old left-hander will probably be Double-A or Triple-A pitching depth for Philadelphia in 2023.