Denorfia Up, Hairston to the DL

Well, there goes that configuration.

Kyle Blanks, misused the last several days in a platoon against lefties, will become the Padres starting left fielder…because Scott Hairston is hitting the DL.

Chris Denorfia, who may have been on the verge of getting called up for Blanks, will join the team as a bench outfielder.

To make room for Denorfia on the 40-man roster, the Padres moved Chris Young to the 60-day DL, a move that was expected to occur as soon as the Padres needed a roster spot.

This likely leaves Blanks as the Padres’ starter for at least another week or two, as he attempts to break out of his strikeout-filled slump. He’ll face a righty, Matt Cain of the Giants, tonight, and is in the starting lineup. Denorfia is not.

Denorfia, a veteran, brings the Padres a classic fourth outfielder’s skillset–he hits for some average and some power, has some speed, and plays decent CF defense and good corner OF defense, but isn’t great at any one thing.

He might get some time spotting for Tony Gwynn and Will Venable against lefties, as he makes for a better outfield defender than Oscar Salazar and a better hitter than Jerry Hairston.

Let’s hope Blanks rights himself as the everyday guy and Denorfia provides good value as a versatile bench outfielder and pinch-hitter.