San Diego Padres Release Third-String Catcher Rocky Gale

After spending eight years in the San Diego Padres organization, the team released third-string catcher Rocky Gale today.

After the San Diego Padres signed free-agent third baseman Eric Hosmer they designated catcher Rocky Gale for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. That was three days ago. Today, the Friars gave Gale his walking papers.

After spending eight seasons in the Friars farm system Gale was finally slated to compete for a roster spot this season. Once the Friars signed veteran backstop A.J. Ellis, Gale became expendable.

Rocky Gale, 30, has spent the majority of his professional career in the Friars’ minor-league system, slashing .259/.306./324 with 228 RBI over 624 games played. He made appearances at the major league level only sparingly over that time.

He played a total of 14 games for the Friars, collecting two hits, one of which was a home run, and one RBI.

Friars news from Peoria

The San Diego Padres opened up their Spring Training schedule today against the Seattle Mariners. Here are some of the notable moments from today’s action in Peoria, AZ.

Fernando Tatis, Jr. hit an opposite-field solo blast in the 8th inning to put the Friars ahead 3-2. The hype surrounding Tatis seems to grow each and every day he spends in big league camp.

As per Justin Lafferty of FriarWire, Kazuhisa Makita threw his first live batting practice session of the spring this morning and it left Eric Hosmer, “awestruck”. Besides Makita’s session, prospects Eric Lauer and Joey Lucchesi, as well as veterans Brad Hand and Clayton Richard also threw live BP to catchers Austin Hedges and A.J. Ellis.

Next: FoB Interview With Randy Jones

The Friars continue their Cactus League schedule against the Angels tomorrow in Tempe at 12:30 pm PST/1 PM MST and will be broadcast on FOX Sports San Diego and FOX Sports West.