Robbie Erlin And Jedd Gyorko Set To Begin Workouts

Apr 13, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko (9) is congratulated by teammates after a home run during the second inning against the Detroit Tigers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

According to Corey Brock of MLB.com, Robbie Erlin and Jedd Gyorko will begin working out on Monday with the Padres rookie ball affiliate in Peoria, Arizona. Gyorko has been out with plantar fasciitis since June 6, and Erlin has been out with elbow soreness since May 22.

Erlin was putting together a decent season as a starting pitcher before the injury to his elbow. In eight starts, he is 3-4 with a 4.53 ERA. More importantly, Erlin was 2-0 in May with a 2.45 ERA before he went to the DL. The pitching staff should benefit from his return to the rotation later in the month.

On the other hand, Jedd Gyorko is having a rough season. He has a .162/.213/.270 split with five home runs and 24 RBI. Everyone in San Diego is hoping the injury to his heel is the cause of his season-long slump. If Gyorko can get back to his rookie season numbers (.249/.301/.444), the Padres will be much better off on the offensive side of the ball.

Brock believes neither player will be back before the All-Star break, and quotes the skipper, Bud Black, saying, “We’ll get them through this week and then reconvene about what they’re doing.”

Believe it or not, the Padres actually have a chance to make a mid-season push, and compete for a playoff spot. The pitching has been good enough, but the offense is really struggling. Players like Gyorko need to step it up, and start scoring runs.