San Diego Padres: Friars’ Season, Act Two, Begins Now

After a tough start and a couple of roster moves, the San Diego Padres need to look this situation as a new beginning to a season that could have been close to teetering off the ledge.

With Chase Headley designated for assignment, two-fifths of the San Diego Padres’ rotation reflecting the upcoming full-on youth movement, and the powerful Franmil Reyes now bringing his talents to the major-league level, a proverbial page has been turned on this team.

This reset really all began with Bryan Mitchell being removed from the starting rotation in favor of Jordan Lyles. Or, really, it was when the team brought up Eric Lauer.

Calling up Lauer signified what we all had figured out by then anyway; maybe hoping for a competitive Padres team was wishful thinking on our parts and it was time for the kids to get a shot.

After picking up his first MLB win in his previous start, Lauer got hit hard on Friday night. After a quarter-season that’s seen the Friars’ bullpen throw more innings than any other team in baseball (167.1), Bryan Mitchell was Johnny On the Spot to throw six innings of long-relief.

He wasn’t all that effective (6 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 3 BB), but he helped keep the Friars’ other relievers on their butts, resting up. This could be an ideal role for Mitchell to settle into, moving forward.

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• 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

San Diego Padres bullpen needs to stay focused

Phil Maton, who’s been terrific so far this season (0.56 earned-run average in sixteen innings), was placed on the disabled list with a right lateral muscle strain on Saturday.

Without one of the team’s key relief cogs, the rest of the Friars’ relievers need to remain focused.

This means that the Padres’ bullpen stalwarts, Kirby Yates, Craig Stammen, Robbie Erlin, and Adam Cimber, must pick up the slack.

Brad Hand continues to pitch well, aside from his little hiccup in yesterday’s win.

If the Padres can build off of these past two wins and turn this into a little winning streak, things could end up becoming a bit more exciting as summer rolls around.

Friars’ offense is finding its way

The San Diego Padres offense, in bits and pieces, is starting to come together. Jose Pirela has snapped out of his funk, Travis Jankowski is hitting .349/.429/.512 since being called up and Manuel Margot is slashing .320/.436/.480 over his last seven games.

Sure, Freddy Galvis has been stuck in a prolonged slump, Christian Villanueva is a little banged up, and Eric Hosmer, aside from his walk-off hit on Saturday night, is only hitting .111 over the last week. Nevertheless, things are looking up.

Franchy Cordero and his exit-velocity of folklore have a new companion in the “anything you can hit, I can hit harder” club in 22-year-old outfielder, Franmil Reyes. Reyes will be added to the roster today with a corresponding move to come, as well.

Next: Thank You, Chase Headley

There may not be everyday playing time for Reyes at this specific juncture, but his .346/.440/.748 slash line with 14 homers and 37 runs batted in over 126 at-bats this season with Triple-A El Paso couldn’t have screamed any louder that, in any capacity, this young man is ready for The Show. Best of luck to him and Let’s Go, Padres!!