Adrian

Morejon

Morejon has just his second save of the year. It came with a run allowed in the 10th, but it was the unearned runner that starts extra innings on second base. Morejon has been a solid part of the San Diego bullpen, but probably won’t get many save chances in the future.

Tanner Scott started the ninth inning with a three-run lead, but he was pulled after he issued walks to each of the first three hitters that he faced — including an RBI free pass to Bryan Reynolds. Morejon then uncorked a wild pitch that allowed another run to score, but he rebounded to get Isiah Kiner-Falefa to bounce into a fielder’s choice that cut down the lead run at the plate. He then punched out Connor Joe and got Yasmani Grandal on a ground ball to shortstop to end it. He’s not going to usurp the closer’s role anytime soon, but he certainly got the job done on Wednesday.

The Padres bullpen has been a bit taxed in recent days, so they’ll add a fresh left-hander to the mix for the weekend. Pedro Avila was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Morejon was with San Diego for last week’s season-opening series in South Korea, but he’ll head to the minors ahead of the club’s stateside opener.

Financial terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed, but the 24-year-old should land in the neighborhood of the $900,000 that was projected by MLBTradeRumors.com. Morejon made just eight appearances in the big leagues for the Padres in 2023, posting a troublesome 7.00 ERA, 2.11 WHIP and an 8/5 K/BB ratio over his nine innings of work. He faces an uphill battle at securing a spot in the club’s Opening Day bullpen.

Morejon has wrapped up a minor league rehab assignment and will remain stationed at Triple-A El Paso for now. The 24-year-old southpaw landed on the injured list back in mid-July due to right knee inflammation.

Morejón didn’t get any outs while giving up six hits and walking a batter. The right-hander had been effective in his previous three appearances since beginning his rehab, but one imagines the Padres won’t be in a hurry to bring him back after this.

Morejón left Saturday’s game after he tried to reach for a comebacker and hurt his knee. Hopefully, the 24-year-old will only miss the minimum amount of time.

Morejón’s right leg went out from under him some as he tried to reach back to field a comebacker. It looked like it might be bad at first, but he recovered to the point that he was hoping to remain in. Manager Bob Melvin decided to play it safe and take the ball from him.

Morejón hadn’t gotten more than five outs in a game in four appearances since being called up by the Padres, so three innings was pretty much his limit today. He’s allowed three runs with a 6/4 K/BB ratio in seven innings for San Diego. Morejón started today because Yu Darvish was scratched with the flu.