Rea (lat) was activated from the 60-day disabled list and optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.
Rea, who missed all of the 2017 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery, has been sidelined all season with a lat strain. While his rehab window has expired, Rea will continue to pitch for the Chihuahuas until the Padres feel he's ready to join the big-league rotation.