Jabari Blash Wednesday became the first member of the bench inserted into the Padres starting lineup and manager Andy Green said more reserves would see playing time during his club’s first road stop in Colorado over the weekend.
“We’ve got to get them into a game,” Green said of his bench while addressing the media before Wednesday night’s series finale against the Dodgers.
“We’re hoping Jabari continues to show good plate discipline and runs into one.”
Blash and the Padres will be getting their first look at right-handed Japanese import Kenta Maeda. The Padres will also be looking to score their first runs of the season after being shut out in each of the season’s first two games for the third time in franchise history.
While Green didn’t directly discuss his club’s lack of offense, he said “everything is my responsibility.”
Green also discussed why Adam Rosales earned the club’s final roster spot as the utility infielder over Jemile Weeks and Alexi Amarista.
“The over-riding factor is that Adam can play all four infield positions, which gives us depth at all four spots. Usually, it’s defense over offense at that spot although there is offense to Rosales. He’s played 60 games in the Major Leagues at short. Weeks edge, Jemile has more speed than Rosales.”
Green praised the doubleplay started by shortstop Alexei Ramirez in the first inning Tuesday night. Ramirez stopped a smash to his right, then fired a strike to Cory Spangenberg while doing the splits. “I’ve never seen a doubleplay from the split position before,” said Green.
Although Green hasn’t seen Maeda pitch, he knows about him. “He can pitch,” said Green. “He can also field his position. We have to get his pitch count up early.”
The presence of Maeda also reminded Green of the season he spent in Japan as a player. “I loved Japan, loved the experience,” said Green.
Green said the Padres have talked about how to pitch to Adrian Gonzalez. “We have to pitch to him in a disciplined fashion. We know how we want to attack. It’s a learning process for all of us.”
The Padres are making their debut in their new camouflage jersey tops Wednesday night. The jerseys are fashioned after the Navy work uniform affectionately known as “blueberries.”
Check out full audio of Andy’s full media session from Petco Park this afternoon:
