Padres Reshuffle Bullpen Ahead of Dodgers Series Showdown

In a strategic move aimed at fortifying their bullpen for a highly anticipated series against their National League West rivals, the San Diego Padres have reshuffled their relief corps. Ahead of the three-game set at Dodger Stadium, the Padres recalled left-hander Adrián Morejón while designating right-hander Pedro Avila for assignment.

The decision to part ways with Avila, who is out of minor league options, was a tough one for the Padres’ brass. However, with the need to make room on the 40-man roster for Morejón’s return, the team was left with little choice but to expose the 27-year-old reliever to waivers or outright release.

Avila’s struggles this season, evidenced by his unsightly 8.64 ERA in spring training and an 8.00 ERA over eight innings of regular season work, made him an expendable asset. The Padres’ bullpen, which currently ranks 21st in the majors with a 5.01 ERA, has been a glaring weakness thus far, and the team is hopeful that Morejón can provide a much-needed boost.

Morejón, who has previously served as a long reliever for the Padres, could be deployed in a similar role this time around. In his brief major league stint earlier this season, the left-hander allowed an unearned run in two-thirds of an inning during the Seoul Series against the same Dodgers squad.

Since being optioned to Triple-A El Paso, Morejón has posted a respectable 2.84 ERA over 6 1/3 innings, primarily working in one-inning stints. His recent form, which includes four scoreless appearances spanning 3 1/3 innings in the Pacific Coast League, likely played a role in his promotion.

With Avila’s departure, right-hander Jhony Brito could step into the long relief role. Brito, who was in contention for the fifth starter spot deep into spring training, has struggled to the tune of an 8.10 ERA over 6 2/3 innings, mostly in setup situations.

As the Padres gear up for their crucial series against the Dodgers, their lineup remains unchanged from recent outings. The order features Ha-Seong Kim and Jurickson Profar occupying the fifth and sixth spots, respectively, while top prospect Jackson Merrill continues to hold down the eighth slot. With a right-hander on the mound for the Dodgers, utility man Tyler Wade will man the hot corner.

On the mound for the Padres in Friday’s series opener will be right-hander Michael King, fresh off a dominant seven-inning shutout performance against the San Francisco Giants. King, who owns a 2-0 record and a 3.14 ERA on the season, has limited experience against the Dodgers’ lineup, with only six plate appearances against Shohei Ohtani standing out.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, will counter with right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who has rebounded nicely after being tagged for five runs by the Padres in the first inning of their Seoul Series matchup. Since that outing, Yamamoto has posted a 13-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio while allowing just five hits over 10 scoreless innings.

As these two powerhouse teams prepare to renew their heated rivalry, every strategic move and roster decision could potentially swing the pendulum in a pivotal divisional race. The Padres, armed with a revamped bullpen, will look to seize the early advantage in this highly anticipated showdown.