Padres Recall Jose Pirela; Option Leonel Campos to AAA

With Cory Spangenberg joining Yangervis Solarte on the 15-day DL, and Alexi Amarista potentially limited as well, the Padres' infield depth has been stretched thin. Adam Rosales and Jemile Weeks have stepped in to help fill the gap, and now they will be joined by another reinforcement. Utility player Jose Pirela has been recalled from AAA and will be with the team tonight as the Padres open a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals. While he's played in the outfield exclusively for El Paso and spent most of his time there through Spring Training, most of his experience is around the infield. While he's not regarded as a plus defender anywhere, he's known to be capable at second and third base, and has spent time just about everywhere around the diamond. His perceived value is more due to his high-contact hitting, which could be useful at the back end of the Padres' lineup.

To make room for Pirela on the active roster, reliever Leonel Campos has been optioned to Triple-A. Entering into his third option year, Campos came in to last night's game in a mop-up role and got knocked around the park, currently owning an unfathomable 135 ERA. That's not a typo, I didn't forget a decimal. That's what happens when you're on the hook for five earned runs while only recording one out. Brutal. Regardless, we're likely to see him back up later this season.

I'm intrigued by Pirela. With similar positional flexibility and hitting reputation as Yangervis Solarte when he came to the Padres, he was targeted by Preller and traded from the Yankees for promising young pitcher Ronald Herrera. It was an interesting move that suggested that Padres scouts saw a player that could make an impact soon. Now he will get a chance to make that impact.