San Diego Padres: Franchy Returns to Action, Preller Makes a Trade

As the San Diego Padres head into Houston with just one win on the season, AJ Preller made a move today, and the Friars are looking forward to a key cog returning soon as well.

As per our friend Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Padres’ outfielder Franchy Cordero will begin his rehab assignment tonight, with the Friars’ Triple-A affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas.

More from Friars on Base

• Padres fighting with hated rival to sign quality veteran relief pitcher
• Jurickson Profar free agency update likely rules out Padres reunion
• Fernando Tatis Jr. may not take to outfield move after Xander Bogaerts addition
• Padres News: Fernando Tatis Jr. trade rumors, Seth Lugo chase, Manny Machado
• Padres barely missed out on high-end veteran starting pitcher

Padres make a trade, albeit a minor one

According to reports, Padres’ general manager AJ Preller made a trade today, acquiring Brett Nicholas from the Texas Rangers for cash considerations or a player to be named later.

According to Acee (SDU-T), Nicholas, 29, will head to El Paso to join Rafael Lopez and Stephen McGee in a backstop trifecta.

In 103 major-league at-bats with the Rangers (2016-’17), Brett Nicholas has a slash line of .252/.300/.456 with four home runs, fifteen RBI, and nine doubles.

He figures to add a little depth to the top-end of the organization’s catching depth chart with Austin Hedges battling back-tightness and A.J. Ellis not showing nearly the offensive upside as Raffy Lopez.

Next: Margevicius Excels in Fort Wayne Debut

If Hedgie should need an eventual DL trip or at least a few days off, Preller and Andy Green could move Lopez up and still have two very capable backstops in El Paso.