San Diego Padres: Getaway day news and notes, injury updates

DENVER, CO - JULY 19: Starting pitcher Clayton Richard
DENVER, CO - JULY 19: Starting pitcher Clayton Richard

The San Diego Padres need to take a breather this afternoon as they travel to San Francisco. Turning the page is not always easy.

If there was ever a need for an off day, the Padres have it right about now. After being swept by the Rockies in three games and surrendering an embarrassing 36 runs, the team needs to regroup.

Unfortunately, there is no off day as there has been in the past several weeks. The Padres will quickly grab their belongings and fly out of Mile High Colorado this afternoon in order to get to the Bay Area for the beginning of their four game series with the Giants on Thursday.

Thankfully, “Getaway Day” provides a little bit of relief to players and fans, as they have an afternoon to ponder what has happened to the club and what is ahead.

Here are some notes to take into consideration:

  • Uphill climb: The Padres currently sit 25 games back in the National League West, and are 14 games under .500 at 40-54 after being swept by the Rockies.
  • Rox rock Richard: Clayton Richard had his worst start of the season, being charged with ten runs in three and 2/3 innings. A performance to forget for sure.
  • Pitching woes: How bad was the pitching staff this series? The Rockies averaged 12 runs a game. That’s how bad.
  • Offensive stability: The Padres are finally starting to get some pop from their bats, often times from those they least expect it from. Carlos Asuaje homered for the first time in his major league career Tuesday, and Cory Spangenberg went yard in Wednesday’s 18-4 drubbing. Jabari Blash also finished off a solid series with an RBI in the finale.
  • Wednesday’s transaction: Franchy Cordero is back in the bigs. The Padres promoted him earlier and sent right-handed reliever Jose Valdez back to Triple-A El Paso.
  • Glimmer of hope? The Padres have the Giants next in a four game series. San Diego has had San Francisco’s number this season, winning six of the nine previous meetings. It may be exactly what the club needs following a week to forget in Denver.

Injury updates

Some key injury notes as the Padres continue to shorten their DL and get healthy.

Yangervis Solarte

is still sidelined with a strained oblique. He is listed on the 10-day DL.

More from Friars on Base

  • Catcher Austin Hedges has a concussion from a foul ball he took off the mask Friday night against the Giants. He is officially on the 7-day DL, but a return date has not been announced.
  • Hunter Renfroe strained his neck last week, and is out for the short term, bringing Blash and Cordero back into action. He did take batting practice Wednesday, a very encouraging sign.
  • Jered Weaver is working his way back and has made a rehab appearance, but is still listed on the 10-day DL.
  • Outfielders Travis Jankowski and Alex Dickerson are still on the 60-day DL with a right foot injury and bulging disk, respectively. Return is still a long ways away.
  • Next: Asuaje seizing opportunity to shine

    The Padres will arrive in the Bay Area Wednesday night and begin their four game series against the Giants on Thursday after catching a breather.

    Schedule