Cory Spangenberg returns from the DL; Frank Garces demoted to AAA

The Padres announced this afternoon that infielder Cory Spangenberg has been reinstated from the disabled list. Spangenberg was placed on the shelf in late June after suffering a bone bruise on his left knee. He returned to action August 3 on a rehab assignment, first with the AA San Antonio Missions and then with the AAA El Paso Chihuahuas. In the small sample size of 42 plate appearances spread over nine games Spangenberg hit .211/ .286/ .342 with a triple, a homer, and four walks.

To make room for Spangenberg on the active roster, the Padres demoted lefty reliever Frank Garces and his gas can to El Paso. Garces has put up some ugly numbers this season; he has allowed seven home runs and 15 walks in a mere 31 innings. Opposing batters hit .286 against him and his ERA is just a smidge below five-per-nine at 4.94. Garces has been especially ineffective of late; in his two most recent appearances, both at home against the Reds, he allowed five earned runs and three home runs in just two innings, causing his ERA to jump more than a full run.

Spangenberg's return creates quite the infield logjam; he is now one of seven infielders on the active roster and one of four who bats left-handed. Primarily a second- and third baseman, Spange has also seen action in the outfield. It will be interesting to see how he is utilized since interim manager Pat Murphy is a bit of a wild card.