Clayton Richard will get the start today for the Padres as the team completes the Chicago sweep today in Peoria vs. the White Sox.
Richard has pitched exactly as you thought he would in Spring Training so far; capable of getting punchouts (4 in 5 IP) as well as giving up runs (3 HR allowed). By all appearances the veteran left-hander is lined up to open up the regular season as the Padres’ Opening Day pitcher.
It’s @CRThrees on the hill vs. White Sox at 12:10pm PT today! Here’s the full #PadresST lineup: pic.twitter.com/4uTCNOl5Mm
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) March 9, 2018
Today’s game features the B-side of the Padres outfield with Jose Pirela manning left field, Franchy Cordero getting a look in center and Matt Szczur taking right field duties. Christian Villanueva will get a start at first base while Chase Headley takes third. Cory Spangenberg will get the opportunity to lead off and play second.
Fernando Tatis, Jr. will get the chance to do more damage against his former club in the DH spot after going 4-4 with 5 RBIs against the Sox in split-squad action last Sunday.
In camp news another round of cuts have been made to the roster:
The #Padres have optioned Rowan Wick and Javy Guerra and re-assigned Cal Quantrill, Trey Wingenter, Tom Wilhelmsen, Michael Mariot, Josh Naylor, Austin Allen and Franmil Reyes to minor league camp. #PadresST
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) March 9, 2018
Wick will need more development as a reliever in the minors as a conversion project still in progress. The jury’s still out on once-promising Javy Guerra. Cal Quantrill flashed some of his promise but will get more time to work his way to the big league rotation. The trio of Trey Wingenter, Michael Mariot and “Bartender” Tom Wilhelmsen will make up the bullpen in El Paso and could see MLB service should an injury or trade arise. Josh Naylor had a middling Spring Training and is an organizational odd-man after the Eric Hosmer signing. Austin Allen will resume catching duties in the minors and heavy-hitting Franmil Reyes is still recovering from hamate bone surgery.
Andy Green doesn’t care about your organizational rankings.
Today’s game is slated for a 12:10 PM PST start and will be televised on Fox Sports San Diego. We made it to another weekend!