Quote from fenn68 on April 12, 2026, 4:31 am

Tatis looked fine at 2B ... turned a nice double play (although runner was not near him) and make a couple of routine plays. No real challenging opportunities.

Listening to Stammen and Tatis, this idea was brought up to Tatis last winter and behind the scenes worked on for weeks ... just kept secret. Not clear why they just did not place him at SS vs 2B but Stammen made a point of liking Cronenworth's work at SS. Sounds as though this configuration will be the plan going forward to rest either Bogaerts or Cronenworth until Song returns (but that is not urgent with this structure).

Someone made the observation that this move with Tatis is similar to how the Dodgers have handled their players for years ... moving them around as needed ... think Betts.

Plus, Stammen appears to be committed to give his players a couple of days off a month ... but not as was expected via a rotation through the DH but actually off. Maybe that for now has been made easier with Castellanos and Andujar on the bench providing some offense to cover who sits. In the same vein, he played Campusano early on a regular rotation with Fermin even as Campusano struggled .... apparently that has paid off given Campy's current hot streak. So far, the strategy is working.

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on April 12, 2026, 4:58 am

I somewhat an academic exercise ... what is the best configuration for the 13th position player for this roster ... a player that plays very little.

As Sheets, Andujar, and Castellanos rotate through DH/1B allowing one to be on the bench or cover another player on that player's off day ... what can a 13th man best provide to aid the team? Giving those three (assuming they are hitting) maximum AB to keep them sharp seems to be the strategy ... has sort of put France into limited playing time (plus he is not hitting).

They do have Johnson for PR and OF defense. France likely is the emergency C. However, the starting line-up seems solid enough to not need PH depth beyond the one already available before you get to the 13th man.

I could see a veteran (who is used to sitting on the bench with limited use) with some versatility defensively (INF/OF) and some PR ability ... and a plus clubhouse guy. Sort of a second Johnson but with some middle INF value to only be used as needed but not in a starting rotation. Just don't know of anyone fitting that profile. Can they get close to that profile? Not really Song or France.

Quote from Randy Manese on April 12, 2026, 6:37 am

I am going to have to disagree that the 13th player is not Song.  While Song hasn't been burning up the PCL and his K rate so far is alarming, he has played all over the INF and shown well.  I think he will be optioned soon and then you'll see him resurface on the roster around mid to late May.  His transition to MLB from the KBO is not dissimilar to Ha-seong Kim plus oblique injuries take a very long time to heal fully, so I'm giving him a mulligan on his K rate (which is about twice or more than it was in Korea).  He won't be a flop from Korea like Go was as a RP.  Small sample size with extenuating circumstances.

Song will give maximum flexibility to resting one of the INF position players and is a far better defensive/offensive option than bringing up McCoy or playing Andujar at 3b/2b.  I can see Tatis coming in to play 2b occasionally, maybe once a week at the maximum, but Song will get much more playing time because of his defensive abilities than France has so far.  I see him as our new Iglesias with the ability to give Croney more time off since he also hits from the left side.  Just like Campy has shown improvement both defensively and offensively, I predict we'll see Song as a valued contributor when he does return to the big club - maybe more than as the "13th" man.  I know it sounds like an overly optimistic prediction but I'm just looking on the run prevention defensive side that keeps our regular infield older players healthy and a wRC+ that's not a black hole (maybe in the 80+ range?)

Quote from fenn68 on April 12, 2026, 7:34 am

To be clear ... I agree Song will be a significant contributor at some point but just think "right now" he is better served playing every day in AAA as opposed to being used 1-2 times a week in the ML and the ripple effect being take ABs from Andujar / Castellanos.

Now if either Andujar or Castellanos tank? If one of the regulars goes IL? Late in the season? Expect Song gets the first call.

He does have a clear path for 2027 with FA Castellanos, Andujar, France, and Laureano and no real competition in the system for those four slots.

So more an issue of when ... not if.

Quote from WindsorUK on April 12, 2026, 11:49 am

Good points, guys👍🏽

Quote from WindsorUK on April 12, 2026, 1:46 pm

Absolutely lovin' Padre offensive baseball today- get 'em on, get 'em over, get 'em in! Good, fundamental baseball against a lesser team.

Get good pitching the next 7 innings, we rack up the sweep!

Quote from fenn68 on April 12, 2026, 2:12 pm

Pivetta pulled from the game in the top of the 4th with some injury. Had put down 9 in a row. Threw a pitch to the first hitter in the 4th ... trainer quickly came out and instantly they were walking off the mound. No obvious source of the pain ... no action by Pivetta to direct us to his arm or back or anywhere else. He was not happy.

Hopefully just a "tweak".

Quote from ultratvfan on April 12, 2026, 2:36 pm

I hope he will be alright and no IL.

Quote from MrPadre19 on April 12, 2026, 2:46 pm

Hello Lucas Giolito is that you?