Paddack unlikely for Pads in Game 1
Chris Paddack’s bid to make history as the San Diego Padres’ opening day starter appears to be over.
The 23-year-old right-hander has been so strong this spring that he was a candidate to become the first starting pitcher to make his major league debut on opening day since Al Gerhauser of the Phillies in 1943.
But Paddack was scratched from his scheduled Cactus League start on Monday night. Instead, he pitched in a minor-league game on Tuesday against Seattle at the team’s complex in Peoria. He worked 4 2/3 innings, striking out eight and allowing four runs.
“It wasn’t his cleanest outing, but overall he looks strong and we’re very pleased with what he’s done all spring,” Padres manager Andy Green said Tuesday night.
While Green hasn’t committed to an opening day pitcher yet, the maneuver appears to take Paddack out of the running. He had been working every five days during Cactus League play, and a Monday start would have led him to Saturday and then the March 28 opener against the San Francisco Giants.
Paddack, ranked the 35th-best prospect by MLB.com – one of six Padres in the top 35 – is two years removed from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. He was acquired from the Miami Marlins in 2016 for reliever Fernando Rodney.
In four Cactus League starts, Paddack has struck out 20 in 12 2/3 innings with just two walks and a 2.13 ERA.
“He’s had a tremendous spring, there’s no doubt about that,” Green said.
Green said the delay for Paddock was part of his effort to position the entire pitching staff.
Cactus League roundup
Cubs (ss) 6, Mariners 4: Yu Darvish made his fourth start for Chicago’s split squad, pitching 4 2/3 innings against a team of Mariners minor leaguers and allowing two runs – one earned – and five hits, striking out six and walking two. Darvish also had an RBI single. Ian Happ and Jason Heyward had RBI doubles and Wilson Contreras singled in a run. Kyle Lewis, Seattle’s No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft, hit his third home run – a solo shot off reliever Carl Edwards Jr. – and his third double, scoring twice and raising his average to .429.
Rangers 3, Brewers 2: Willie Calhoun had two singles, driving in all three runs for Texas. Lance Lynn made his third start, pitching five innings and allowing two runs, four hits, while striking out nine. Jesus Aguilar hit his third double, driving in a run for Milwaukee. Chase Anderson allowed two runs and six hits, in four innings. Grapefruit League roundup Yankees 6, Rays 2: Gary Sanchez hit two run-scoring doubles for New York, and Aaron Judge singled in a run and scored twice. Greg Bird hit a solo drive for his third spring homer. Yankees right-hander Luis Cessa struck out five while pitching four scoreless innings. Tampa Bay’s Tyler Glasnow struggled in his fourth start. The right-hander issued four walks in 3 2/3 innings and was charged with five runs, sending his spring ERA to 11.00.
Nationals 3, Braves 2: Collin Cowgill capped Washington’s three-run ninth with a two-run homer. Anibal Sanchez pitched five innings of tworun ball. Austin Riley, one of Atlanta’s top prospects, hit a solo drive for his first spring homer. Bullpen hopeful Max Fried made his third start, striking out seven in five scoreless innings.
Pirates 3, Tigers 1: Josh Bell, Adam Frazier and Corey Dickerson had two hits apiece for Pittsburgh, and Steven Brault pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Detroit left-hander Matthew Boyd allowed three runs, two earned, and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Wednesday’s Cactus League games
Reds vs. Rangers at Surprise, 1:05 p.m. Diamondbacks vs. White Sox at Camelback Ranch, Phoenix, 1:05 p.m. Brewers vs. Padres at Peoria, 1:10 p.m. Angels vs. Indians at Goodyear, 6:05 p.m.
Royals vs. Rockies at Salt River Fields, Scottsdale, 6:40 p.m.
Dodgers vs. Cubs at Sloan Park, Mesa, 7:05 p.m.
Indians vs. Giants at Scottsdale Stadium, 7:05 p.m.