Jedd Gyorko to be optioned to AAA; Nick Vincent called back up

The San Diego Union-Tribune's Padres twitter account broke some slightly shocking news early this afternoon:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Struggling 2B Jedd Gyorko being sent to Triple-A</p>&mdash; U-T Padres (@UTPadres) <a href="https://twitter.com/UTPadres/status/608713269935751168">June 10, 2015</a></blockquote>

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This doesn't come as a complete surprise. Jedd Gyorko's struggles, mainly against right handed pitching, had already relegated him to a platoon role with Cory Spangenberg getting the majority of playing time. The Padres have Wil Myersreturning soon and a roster crunch was imminent. All 13 position players on the 25 man roster were either present on the opening day roster, recently called up (Melvin Upton Jr.) or are a necessity (backup catcher Austin Hedges). Somebody was going to get some unexpected disappointing news. I had guessed it might be Yangervis Solarte, but his usefulness as a pinch hitter and utility player most likely protected him.

Jedd Gyorko's struggles against right handed pitching are somewhat of a new phenomenon. There was no clear indication that he would struggle this badly against same sided hurlers. It certainly wasn't anticipated by the Padres after 2013 or else they would not have given him the contract that they did. That was a 5 year, $35 million extension, by the way. Gyorko hit most of his home runs off of right handed pitching in 2013. In 2014, he struggled against all pitchers, but he struck out more and walked way less against righties. This year he is hopeless against righties and MVP-caliber against lefties. A trip to the minors, where he can play everyday and get instruction with less pressure on every at bat will hopefully help him sort this out. My non-scout eyes looked at a few of his worst at bats against righties and he seems to have an issue with plate coverage. Outside pitches and anything off the plate are his kyptonite. Hopefully that can be sorted out.

Even though Wil Myers is just about ready to return, having recently completely a 3 game rehab stint, the Padres will take some extra caution with him as well as use this opportunity to helped a taxed bullpen. Padres pitchers have been failing to go deep into games for this entire road trip and an extra arm could be useful.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Vincent called up from El Paso to bolster bullpen and take Gyorko&#39;s spot on roster</p>&mdash; U-T Padres (@UTPadres) <a href="https://twitter.com/UTPadres/status/608713527206014977">June 10, 2015</a></blockquote>

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So, the Padres have brought back Nick Vincent for the time being. Wil Myers will probably get activated either tomorrow or for the Dodgers series at Petco Park that starts Friday. Either Nick Vincent or maybe Kevin Quackenbush will be optioned to AAA when Myers does come off the DL.