In a series-clinching win Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays, Jackson Merrill’s Rookie of the Year campaign rolled into September with an 11-pitch at-bat, a diving catch in center field and his 21st home run. By now, of course, the San Diego Padres are used to these types of games from Merrill, who could soon be named the National League Rookie of the Month for a second time this season. And, of course, even a player as talented as Merrill could use some help.
So, a busy morning of transactions is worth examining. Before Sunday’s game, the Padres selected the contract of catcher Elias Díaz, activated reliever Wandy Peralta from the injured list, recalled reliever Tom Cosgrove, optioned starter Randy Vásquez to Triple A and, among other moves, announced the signing of shortstop Nick Ahmed to a minor-league deal. Here are a couple of takeaways on an expanded roster.
A third (or potential second) catcher
Díaz, 33, wouldn’t have chosen to sign with the Padres without a legitimate chance to play in September — and beyond.
“It’s very important,” Díaz told reporters at Tropicana Field through interpreter Pedro Gutiérrez. “I’ve never been to the playoffs. I have zero postseason experience. … Yeah, we want to reach the playoffs. That’s our goal.”
The next few weeks will allow Díaz to learn a new pitching staff and a new clubhouse. It remains to be seen how much playing time he’ll get alongside Kyle Higashioka and Luis Campusano. “We’ll take it day by day, but he’ll get his opportunities,” manager Mike Shildt told reporters. What seems clear: The opportunities he does get will come at Campusano’s expense.
C Kyle Higashioka was scratched from today’s lineup with flu-like symptoms.
Luis Campusano will bat in his place, batting 8th and playing catcher.
Prior to today’s game, we optioned RHP Sean Reynolds to Triple-A El Paso and recalled RHP Alek Jacob from El Paso. https://t.co/RDAWRIn7HQ pic.twitter.com/4VfeyQQ1U4
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 31, 2024
With Higashioka on the mend from flu-like symptoms, Campusano started a third consecutive game Sunday and continued to inspire limited confidence as a postseason option. Campusano drew two walks but also went hitless in two at-bats; his wRC+ is now 86, or 14 percent below league average. In the bottom of the sixth, as the Padres lost a three-run lead, he failed to block a slider in the dirt, allowing the tying run to score. Campusano had entered the afternoon next to last among big-league catchers in fielding run value, Statcast’s metric for capturing a player’s measurable defensive performance (minimum 500 innings).
Díaz might not be an upgrade on offense; when he was released last month by the Colorado Rockies, he had a 79 wRC+. But the Padres, with their deep lineup and Higashioka’s power production, don’t need much more of it at that position. They do need reliable defense, and in that regard, Díaz — who is eighth among big-league catchers in fielding run value — could represent a sizable improvement over Campusano.
“Clearly, a really plus defender and a shutdown kind of an arm,” Shildt said. “He’s a veteran guy that receives the ball well and throws well. … It can only help when he’s back there.”
And it helps, for now, that the Padres can comfortably carry three catchers as part of a 28-man roster. That won’t be the case next month, assuming San Diego gets there. Before each round of the postseason, teams must submit a 26-man roster. It’s not a foregone conclusion, but Díaz will get the next few weeks to prove he should be the Padres’ second catcher in October.
Deep into his first full season as a big-league starter, Michael King believes he has established an effective routine. For that, he partially credits the 38-year-old Yu Darvish, who could pass for a man in his late 20s.
“He asked (during an early season conversation) if I was taking a multivitamin,” King said. “I wasn’t. And he kind of looked at me like, ‘Why are you not taking a multivitamin?’ So, I do take multivitamins.
“Then, when it comes to training room stuff … he makes sure that his body feels at his peak performance. And I always was like, ‘I’m young. I can go out there and pitch through soreness or throw through soreness or not get soft tissue work one day.’ And he’s the one that’s like, ‘No, no, no, no. We’re gonna make sure that we’re on top of this because, come late August, come September, we need you to be at your peak.’ So, he’s got me in the training room a little bit more, and really just seeing him every day in the weight room gets me into the weight room and make sure that we’re all held accountable.”
The Padres should get an even more tangible boost when Darvish retakes a big-league mound, perhaps as soon as this week. Darvish, who recently rejoined the team after spending several weeks on the restricted list, threw four innings and 66 pitches Friday in a controlled minor-league game in Arizona. The Padres have not finalized his next step, but it could end up being a start this week against the Detroit Tigers or San Francisco Giants. (Vásquez’s turn in the rotation does not come up until Friday, but Tuesday’s off day could allow San Diego to insert a replacement before the weekend.)
Darvish has not pitched in the majors since late May. The same was true for Joe Musgrove until he came off the injured list Aug. 12.
“Knowing that we have our horses back, it’s really exciting,” King said.
The return of Musgrove (1.66 ERA in four August starts) and the potentially imminent return of Darvish are coming at a good time. King has thrown 150 2/3 innings, far more than he had ever thrown in the majors. Trade acquisition Martín Pérez has leveled off after a surprisingly strong introduction. Dylan Cease was dominant Sunday until he threw 10 consecutive balls to open the bottom of the sixth; the No. 1 starter ended up being charged with three runs over five-plus innings. Since the Padres embarked on an 18-game stretch without an off day on Aug. 16, their rotation has produced a 5.78 ERA while averaging barely more than five innings per start and straining a loaded but weary bullpen.
Musgrove, who supplied a quality start Wednesday in St. Louis, will take the mound Monday at Petco Park as that 18-game run finally ends. The Padres’ starters for Wednesday and Thursday are TBA.
In the meantime, right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (femoral stress reaction) could return from the injured list as soon as Monday night. Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder inflammation) might not be many days behind. Both players have taken a significant number of at-bats in minor-league games in Arizona.
Ahmed, still a solid defender at age 34, could serve as insurance if Kim experiences a setback. Because Ahmed signed his minor-league deal Saturday — just before Sept. 1 — it appears he is eligible to play in the postseason.
(Photo of Yu Darvish: Adam Hunger / Getty Images)
