SEATTLE -- At least for now, the Padres feel their best combination of catchers does not include Luis Campusano.
That is, in part, so they can find out whether that will also be true for the postseason.
Campusano, who began the season as the team's primary catcher, was optioned to Triple-A on Wednesday as part of a series of moves that included starting pitcher Martín Pérez going on the paternity list and left-handed reliever Tom Cosgrove and outfielder Brandon Lockridge being recalled from Triple-A.
"It gives (Campusano) an opportunity to play every day," said A.J. Preller, the Padres president of baseball operations. "And, obviously, gives us a chance to see a little bit more with (Elías) Díaz."
Díaz, a veteran of parts of 10 major league seasons who was released by the Rockies on Aug. 16, signed a minor-league deal with the Padres on Aug. 26 and was called up Sept. 1. He has started just one game and been a late-inning replacement in two others. However, since he was acquired, it was the Padres' intention to see whether he would be able to help them in the push for the postseason and in the event they made it to October.
Campusano started 49 of the Padres' first 70 games. He had an OPS above .700 through April but had struggled both offensively and defensively for stretches since. Higashioka got hot at the plate, hitting 13 home runs in 33 starts from June 1 to Aug. 7, and started getting the bulk of the playing time in the middle of June.
"Tough conversation for everybody involved, especially Campy," manager Mike Shildt said Wednesday afternoon. "He started the season with us and did a nice job for us. Higgy came on and asserted himself, got comfortable with the staff, started getting more time. Campy missed a little bit of time (on the injured list with a thumb injury), which created more of an opportunity for Higgy that he seized. We were able to pick up Diaz, a veteran guy that clearly has had success in this league. ... We just looked up and recognized Campy wasn't getting as much time. Still a younger player and has grown a ton. ... Just decided (it was) best for him and us at the moment to go down and go play."
Lockridge, 27, was acquired from the Yankees in a July 30 trade for reliever Enyel De Los Santos. He has never played in the major leagues. There likely will not be much playing time for him, given the Padres are in a playoff chase and have multiple off days in which to rest their regulars. But the team plans to see how he performs on defense and running the bases. Lockridge has stolen 46 bases this season after stealing 40 in 2023. There is a possible choice to be made between him and Bryce Johnson when forming a playoff roster.
The Padres entered Wednesday's game against the Mariners tied with the Diamondbacks atop the National League wild-card standing, two games ahead of the Mets and 2½ up on the Braves. The wild-card round starts on Oct. 1.
Pérez can be out three days. He will rejoin the team in San Francisco and start Sunday after Dylan Cease goes Friday and Joe Musgrove Saturday.
That likely means Díaz will catch Friday and Sunday, as Campusano generally caught Cease and Pérez.