Padres' bullpen thins a bit with Morgan on IL
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SAN DIEGO -- The Padres’ vaunted bullpen took another hit on Friday. They hope it’s a manageable one.
Right-hander David Morgan, a breakout rookie who has helped nail down the middle innings, was placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday with right shoulder inflammation. The move is retroactive to Tuesday.
Speaking before the Padres’ game against the Rockies, Morgan said he’s optimistic he’ll be able to return after his minimum 15-day stint. He has been shut down from throwing for the past two days but said he expects to resume playing light catch on Saturday.
“It’s something that I said I think I could throw through,” Morgan said. “But with where we’re at in the season, we’re trying to make sure I’m good toward the back end.”
That’s much better news, of course, than the hit the Padres took earlier this month when All-Star setup man Jason Adam ruptured the tendon in his left quad and later underwent season-ending surgery. In fact, that injury could thrust Morgan into a bigger role come October if he can return healthy.
In 38 appearances over 45 innings, Morgan has posted a 2.80 ERA. While the electric back end of the Padres’ bullpen has drawn the majority of the headlines, Morgan has helped lock down the middle innings, and his ability to work multiple frames has proven extremely valuable.
“He’s thrown the ball very well,” said manager Mike Shildt. “I’ve loved the way he competes. He’s going to maintain his aggression. He’s going to challenge the strike zone. He’s got 98-99 [mph] with good sink. … He’s pitched extremely well for us, and he’s been a silent part of the success of, not only our bullpen, but the team.”
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At the back end, the Padres still have the quartet of Robert Suarez, Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon and Jeremiah Estrada. So they should be able to weather Morgan’s absence. But that might only be true if they get quality starting pitching. Morgan has thrived on the occasions the Padres didn’t get length from their starters.
Come playoff time, it’s easy to envision Morgan entering games early for a string of right-handed hitters if a Padres starter were to falter early. That is, if he’s healthy. Both he and the team believe he will be.
“Obviously, these games are important,” Morgan said. “But big picture in mind, for me -- and that’s into the postseason.”