Tingler’s Thoughts on rehab assignments for Grisham, Nola, Pomeranz; facing deGrom
Padres manager Jayce Tingler said Saturday that center fielder Trent Grisham, catcher Austin Nola and left-handed reliever Drew Pomeranz will all need rehab assignments before they return to action with the Padres — and added that Nola and Pomeranz might not be back until late June or early July.
“Grisham is doing testing today,” said Tingler. “He’s going to need a small rehab stint. I hope he’s back up here with us within a week or so. We know all the things he does. He brings a lot of confidence to the top of our lineup. Both Drew and Nola will start getting into more baseball activity the next week or two.”
Tingler on Mets Saturday starter Jacob DeGrom: “He’s probably as big a test as there is out there. DeGrom is probably №1 in the league. It looks like that visually and certainly looks like that statistically. He does it so many ways and there’s tons of power to it. He fills up the zone … it’s an easy delivery. He repeats the secondary pitches are located and he swings the bat. It’s an incredibly tough challenge tonight. He’s not going to beat himself.”
Tingler on Joe Musgrove, who is paired against deGrom Saturday: “Sunday’s effort by Joe certainly reset the bullpen and probably closer to the entire team. We were running out of bullpen guys. It also allowed (Nabil) Crismatt and (Miguel) Diaz to stay with the team. Joe was as sharp as we’ve seen him in Houston. Joe has a championship mindset and he’s super athletic as well. He has a shortstop background growing up. He can swing the bat. In my opinion, he’s our best hitting pitcher. He’ll take ground balls. He’s just a natural, gifted fielder.”
Tingler on the bullpen: “We feel like we’re in a good spot. We’ve been looking at every other day the last day or two. We’re almost back to full throttle back there. We have more one and two innings guys. We don’t have the length we’ve had before.”
Tingler said the Padres will stay with a six-man rotation with Chris Paddack starting Sunday in the finale against the Mets with Ryan Weathers, Dinelson Lamet and Yu Darvish starting against the Cubs.
On Darvish, Tingler said: “He is feeling great. I don’t expect any limitations.
With Tommy Pham getting Saturday night off, Jurickson Profar will lead off-against deGrom: “I feel confident with Profar when we are facing velocity, especially from the left side. It’s just a night off for Pham. I want to make sure we’re not pushing Pham too hard with that bruised sternum. He pushed it to get back in lineup. He’ll be back in there tomorrow.”
