Andy addresses Pomeranz, Rea, Spangenberg
By Bill Center
Before Wednesday night’s rubber match of the three-game series against the Diamondbacks, Padres manager Andy Green discussed a variety of topics during his daily pre-game media session.
He started with left-handed starter Drew Pomeranz, who could wind up on the National League All-Star team if enough selected pitchers withdraw due to injuries or are forced out of competition because they pitch on Sunday.
“Drew is in the periphery right now,” Green said of the All-Star Game. “I did my first phone call with (National League manager Terry) Collins. As guys drop out and others throw on Sunday, Drew’s right in the next group. That doesn’t secure anything. I’ll tap Terry on the shoulder when the time is right.”
Green will be on Collins’ coaching staff for the All-Star Game at Petco Park.
Clearly, however Pomeranz has a huge backer in his manager.
“His curve ball is unique,” Green said of Pomeranz. “Look at the bite and depth on it. The spin rate on fastball is there. He’s always had the stuff and now he’s gone to the next level with the cutter which gives him a really good pitch mix. There is a lot there.”
Plus, Pomeranz has a competitive attitude.
“He was fighting to let me pitch the eighth in his last start,” said Green. “There is hesitation there in Drew taking the ball. He was limited to 75 pitches during much of his time with Colorado. He’s OK, he’s strong and he’s been around the block a couple of times. There is no hesitation with Drew throwing going into the second half. We will adjust his schedule coming out of the break if he makes the all-Star Game.”
While Pomeranz has the green light to pitch as many innings as needed in the second half, Wednesday night’s starter Colin Rea does not. This will be Rea’s last start of the first half and he’ll open the second half in the №5 slot to give him 12 days off — essentially skipping two starts.
“This is as much as we can do without optioning him,” said Green of Rea. “He’s never thrown more than 130 innings in a season. It’s difficult to keep him in the 150–160 innings range when you pitch him all year. We’re doing everything we can.”
“His last start said a lot. He wasn’t his sharpest, but he got the job done because he made pitches. Earlier in the year, it would have been difficult for him to do it.”
Green explained that the transfer of second baseman Jemile Weeks from the 15-day to 60-day disabled disabled list to open a spot on the 40-man roster for the claiming of right-handed pitcher Jake Smith of from the San Francisco Giants was a procedural move and did not reflect on where Weeks is in the rehab process.
“Sixty days comes down to how long he’s been on the disabled list already,” said Green of Weeks, who has been out since May 8 with a hamstring strain. “This move doesn’t stall him out at all.”
Weeks and fellow second baseman Cory Spangenberg are both working out in Arizona. “I saw video of them running,” said Green, who said Spangenberg will start playing rehab games with the Arizona rookie Padres “during the break or right after the break.”
Green said Spangenberg “will need a full 20-game rehab assignment” before he will be activated by the Padres no sooner than around Aug. 1.
Also, right-hander Brandon Morrow has appeared as a reliever in two games with the Arizona Rookie Padres. “We’re discussing right now if his best role will be as a starter or in relief role,” said Green. “Those talks are ongoing.”
