San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
ABRAMS MAKES PLAYS IN 1ST GAME
C.J. Abrams, a 21-yearold shortstop who had played 76 games in the minor leagues, didn’t do anything sensational in his debut on Friday.
That he still affected the game was, to the Padres, impressive.
The organization’s top prospect went 0-for-4 in a 3-0 victory over the Diamondbacks but showed the other ways he can be valuable. He did so mostly by playing flawless and impressive defense. He made two plays deep at shortstop, one in the first inning and one in the ninth, and handled three other grounders in between.
“The plays he made in the field in his first major league game, that stands out for me,” manager Bob Melvin said.
Abrams got his first bigleague assist right away, going into the hole to backhand a grounder by Diamondbacks leadff hitter Cooper Hummel and throwing on a hop to first.
“That first one, I wanted it so I can get the butterflies out the way, and it happened,” Abrams said. “Got it over with.”
He made an even tougher play in the ninth inning, ranging onto the grass to backhand a ball and, while still on the run, making the throw back across his body for the out.
“He just played the game, no fear,” said first baseman Eric Hosmer, who made scoops on both long throws from Abrams. “… He had some good swings, didn’t get any results. But to play defense like that. He made some big plays and helped us win this game.”
Abrams also showed speed on the bases, even if that didn’t work out so well.
After reaching on a fielder’s choice in the second inning, he easily beat the throw on his first career steal attempt but over-slid the bag and was tagged out. The slide was a bit of a tumbling exercise in which his left arm got caught underneath his body and contributed to not being able to hold onto the bag.
“I took my gloves off,” he said. “Usually, I’m running with my gloves on, but I took my gloves off. I don’t really know why. My hands got stuck and got under me, and I slid past the bag.”
He came within maybe 5 feet of a home run, too, getting just a smidge under a ball he sent 383 feet to the warning track in right field, where it was caught by Pavin Smith.
Abrams started again Saturday against Arizona right-hander Zach Davies and after three hitless atbats got his first big-league hit in the ninth inning off former Padre Mark Melancon.
It always was expected Abrams would get the bulk of starts against lefties, but the extent of the platoon with Ha-seong Kim hasn’t been determined.
“It might just be who’s playing well for a couple days,” manager Bob Melvin said.
Melvin said Kim will start today against left-hander Caleb Smith. The Padres are expected to face lefty Alex Wood on Monday in San Francisco before getting two right-handers.
Tatis update
Here is a description not generally associated with Fernando Tatis Jr. when it comes to baseball:
“It’s quiet,” he said Saturday afternoon.
There isn’t much Tatis can do yet, just 3½ weeks after surgery to repair a fracture in his left wrist.
He is able to run and ride a stationary bike, and for a while has been playing throw — as in standing next to physical therapist Scott Hacker, who catches the ball and hands it to Tatis to throw.
Tatis should be able to put on a glove and catch a ball soon. That will come before swinging a bat, which he expects to be able to do in about three weeks. It is then that the Padres will have a better idea where Tatis is at in his recovery.
He actually believes he already has an idea.
“Getting better every single day,” Tatis said. “I’m going as planned — probably a little bit sooner, but we’ll see.”
How can he tell?
“I know my body,” he said.
The ebullient and energetic 23-year-old, who led the National League with 42 home runs last season, is expected to miss at least the first two months of the season. He is on the 60-day injured list, so even if he is the super-healer he believes he is, the earliest he could return is June 7.
At least he is at the ballpark, around his teammates and working.
“First two weeks, I couldn’t do (anything),” he said. “I was just lazy on the couch. But we’re bouncing back good as scheduled and just looking forward.”
Whatever
Jurickson Profar fairly scoffed at the idea he upset D-backs left fielder David Peralta on Friday night.
Peralta let Profar know he didn’t like how Profar slid into third base in the eighth inning and also told the media so afterward.
“It’s one thing to play hard, it’s another thing to play dirty,” Peralta said. “And he kind of — it’s not even like he was trying to knock the ball — he threw a punch. I was just letting him know, ‘Hey man, don’t play like that. You can hurt our teammate.’ I’m going to step up for my teammate. I was letting him know about that. He took it the wrong way. He was like, ‘I don’t care.’ But we don’t play that game. I’m not going to let anyone on the other team do that to my teammate. That’s the bottom line.”
After reaching on a bunt single, Profar tried to go to third when third baseman Drew Ellis’ throw got past first baseman Christian Walker and rolled into right field. Profar ended up being thrown out by Smith, the right fielder.
“I thought the ball had gone farther,” he said. “I was surprised by the throw. The third baseman kind of jumped at me to tag me. I just responded. It was nothing I planned.”
Of his exchange with Peralta on the field after the play, in which Peralta yelled at him as Profar walked toward the dugout, Profar said, “I was like, ‘What? I don’t do that.’ I guess he likes to talk.”
Profar was more upset he misjudged the play.
“I made a mistake running the bases,” he said. “But don’t expect that a lot.”