SAN DIEGO — The roster shakeup on Monday won’t end the San Diego Padres’ maneuvering.
Before the start of the series against the Kansas City Royals, first baseman/outfielder Kyle Blanks was promoted from Triple-A El Paso and veteran first baseman/outfielder Xavier Nady was designated for assignment.
More moves are in the offing, as third baseman Chase Headley and left fielder Carlos Quentin are nearing the completion of their rehab assignments.
Padres manager Bud Black expects to activate Headley (right calf strain) from the 15-day disabled list at the earliest opportunity, Saturday. When that happens, infielder Jace Peterson will return to Double-A San Antonio.
The more interesting decision comes when Quentin (bone bruise in left knee) is ready to come off the disabled list, possibly as early as this weekend. Who goes when Quentin is ready to make his 2014 debut?
The Padres have talked about cutting back to two catchers, but the timing might not be right for that move. Three catchers might have a future in San Diego given the way Black is deploying them.
Having three catchers means the team doesn’t have to hurry Yasmani Grandal into catching consecutive games as his knee continues to strengthen from last August’s ACL reconstruction surgery. Plus, Grandal showed he can play at first base as an option to the slumping Yonder Alonso when not catching.
While Rene Rivera might be the favored target of right-handed starters Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross, Nick Hundley is hitting .333 and has emerged as the Padres’ favored right-handed pinch hitter.
The odd player out could be Blanks, who might be returned to El Paso unless he shows something before the weekend. He went 0-for-4 Tuesday in the Padres’ 3-1, 11-inning loss to the Royals, though he made a nice defensive play.
Blanks had nine homers at El Paso, which ranked second in the Pacific Coast League at the time of his promotion, but he was also hitting only .265 with 24 strikeouts in 83 at-bats.