Padres News: Sheets calms fans' nerves, Bergert to start Tuesday, Waldron update

The Padres seem like they will survive a scare that breakout hitter Gavin Sheets had fans nervous about on Sunday. Facing the Pittsburgh Pirates, Sheets ranged back for fly ball in left field, and slammed head-first into the wall while attempting the catch.

While it looked brutal, Sheets and his coaching staff do not seem to be too worried about him heading to the injured list.

"Thankfully, we're in a pretty good spot," said Padres manager Mike Shildt ahead of Monday's game against the San Francisco Giants.

Sheets even was ready to play off the bench on Monday if called upon, which may come to a surprise one day after a hard collision. But Sheets, who is having a career year and could even be playing his way into All-Star contention, brushed off that slam and came in to pinch-hit on Monday night. The tests came back positive, so Shildt had no issue trying to get Sheets in the action amidst a scoreless game upon entry in the top of the eighth inning.

While Friars fans no longer have to wait for Sheets' return during the team's series against the Giants, they also don't need to be patient for Ryan Bergert to start a game. Making four relief appearances this season, Bergert will make his first MLB start on Tuesday against San Francisco. In those four appearances with San Diego, he's struck out two batters, and has allowed no runs on one hit.

Bergert has made nine starts with Triple-A El Paso this season, logging a 3.75 ERA in 36 innings with 37 strikeouts.

Another MLB-ready pitcher in Triple-A right now is knuckleballer Matt Waldron. Waldron has not pitched in the bigs yet this season as he's rehabbing from a left oblique strain, but he is nearing full recovery. He's made four starts since May 15, but was officially activated from the 60-day injured list on June 1. His most recent outing saw a season-high six strikeouts across four innings, so it looks like his stuff is officially coming back.