Carlos Quentin Expected To Start In Padres Opener

May 25, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres

(18) hits an RBI pinch hit single during the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Outfielder Carlos Quentin is expected to return to the Padres’ lineup Monday as the team prepares to open a three-game series with NL West rival Arizona Diamondbacks. The Padres’ are  looking to move forward from a sub-par home stand and make ground within the division.

Quentin strained his groin rounding second base in the series finale against the Colorado Rockies a week ago but has made an enormous impact over the last couple of games as a pinch-hitter.

On Saturday, Quentin’s two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inched the Padres’ within one and giving them a chance to tie it up in the ninth. However, it was his pinch-hit single in the bottom of sixth that helped give the Padres’ the lead and the win on Sunday.

Manager Bud Black stated, “We talked about starting him today. He’s a dynamic offensive player.” During the previous home stand, the Padres offense was blanked twice by the Minnesota Twins and was shutdown for seven innings by Cubs Travis Wood before Quentin’s homer on Saturday. 

In only fourteen at-bats this season, Quentin is batting .429, 2 HR, and 5 RBI. Both Chase Headley and Seth Smith should benefit from his return on Monday.