Jose Rondon started a second straight game at shortstop Sunday and Jabari Blash reached San Diego in time to start Sunday afternoon’s game in right field where Matt Kemp used to be.
During his daily pre-game media session Sunday, Padres manager Andy Green said Blash is going to be getting a long look in right while Rondon will start regularly at shortstop as long as he is with the Padres.
Rondon was promoted from Double-A San Antonio Friday to take Yangervis Solarte’s spot on the roster while the third baseman is away on family leave.
“I expect Solarte back soon,” said Green. “But if Rondon is here and on the roster, he should be playing because of where we are as a club. This is not a proclamation that he will be here for the rest of the season. But he’s here right now.”
“I thought he played well Saturday (in Rondon’s first Major League start). “We have to find out what these young players can do. I think the smart play is to put him in the lineup.”
Alexei Ramirez, 34, has started 98 of the Padres first 105 games at short. Only Wil Myers has started more games than Ramirez this season.
As for Blash, Green said he “is going to play a lot,” during his second tour this season with the Padres. Blash was 3-for-25 with 13 strikeouts as a Rule 5 draft pick earlier in the season before the Padres negotiated a trade with Seattle enabling them to be able to option Blash to Triple-A El Paso.
“His swing was never set up to play off the bench,” said Green of Blash. “He didn’t play a lot when he was with us at the start of the season. His timing mechanism is long levers, arms. We always said we’d like to give him a long look.”
Green also talked about Sunday’s starting pitcher, Paul Clemens:
“Clemens has all the potential in the world,” said Green. “He has a live arm. His stuff plays. He’s got the opportunity to go out here on a consistent basis now and earn what is in front of him. The curve ball is really good, probably his best pitch. It’s the kind of stuff that plays at the Major League level, but it’s never done that yet.”
Green said right-handed starting pitcher Erik Johnson, who has been on the disabled list since July 1 with an elbow strain, probably won’t pitch again this season.
“He’s seen quite a few doctors,” said Green. “It’s a real longshot that he pitches for us again this season. I’d be shocked if he pitched for us again this season. He needs a long rest. It’s a flexor strain issue. He’s not ready to pitch.”
Green said left fielder Alex Dickerson needs at least a couple more days to rest his bruised right hip, although he isn’t a candidate for the disabled list. “He is getting better,” said Green of the outfielder who injured his hip in a collision with center fielder Travis Jankowski Friday night.
