The San Diego Padres have announced the optioning of left-hander JP Sears to Triple-A El Paso, allowing right-hander Sean Reynolds to join the bullpen. This decision follows a challenging debut for Sears, in which he gave up five runs on ten hits in five innings, contributing to the team’s struggles as they covered 15 innings across four games since the trade deadline.
With Sears unable to return for 15 days, the Padres are looking at possibly implementing a six-man rotation during a busy schedule that includes 13 consecutive games. They may need a fifth starter soon, potentially as early as Sunday when they face the Boston Red Sox at Petco Park, which might open the door for right-hander Michael King returning from the injured list.
Reynolds comes in with a solid track record, posting a 3.97 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 22 ⅔ major league innings. He has shown improvement recently, boasting a 1.23 ERA over his last seven outings. The move to a nine-man bullpen is timely, as the team’s starters have struggled to pitch deep into games; no starter has completed the sixth inning since Nick Pivetta’s performance on Friday.
In Tuesday’s matchup, the Padres are integrating changes into their lineup. Left fielder Ramón Laureano has made a strong impression, hitting .313 in four games since joining the team. Meanwhile, catcher Elias Díaz will start behind the plate, marking Freddy Fermin’s first day on the bench since Friday.
As for the pitching matchup, Yu Darvish takes the mound for the Padres with a recent resurgence, having struck out seven over seven shutout innings in his last outing against the Mets. On the opposing side, D-backs right-hander Ryne Nelson is enjoying a good stretch, with a 1.95 ERA over his last nine starts.
This series holds significance for both teams and promises to be an exciting matchup as they look to strengthen their standings. As the Padres navigate these changes, there remains optimism about their ability to compete. The game will commence at 6:40 p.m. on Padres.TV.