Brandon

Lockridge

It was a solo shot off A.J. Puk, and it immediately followed a two-run homer off the bat of Kyle Higashioka. Lockridge’s homer came in just his ninth at-bat since being called up Sept. 11. He totaled two homers in 402 plate appearances in Triple-A this year.

Lockridge is playing right field. Luis Arraez, the Padres’ usual DH, is out of the lineup, perhaps in part because of the little knee injury he suffered Monday. Lockridge, who was called up a week ago, is 0-for-2 with a steal in five appearances off the Padres bench.

It’ll be the major league debut for Lockridge, who was acquired from the Yankees for Enyel De Los Santos at the deadline. The 27-year-old has long been a fine minor league outfielder, just not in a way that’s ever much excited scouts. He was hitting .306/.410/.397 with two homers and 46 steals for his two Triple-A teams this year. The Padres figure to use him as a pinch-runner and as a defensive replacement when David Peralta is starting in the outfield.

Lockridge is now on the 40-man roster, but will remain in the minors. It protects the 27-year-old from next year’s Rule 5 draft, and also gives them a potential outfield addition before the end of 2024.

Lockridge has usually put up solid numbers in the Yankees system without ever getting much love as a prospect. This year, he was at .295/.405/.383 with 34 steals for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He’s pretty much a finished product at age 27, and he wouldn’t be a bad 26th man with his on-base ability, defense and speed. He’ll likely remain in the minors for now.

Downs, 25, actually had a shot at earning a reserve role on the team’s Opening Day roster with a strong showing in Grapefruit League action. He was off to a slow start though, hitting just .231 (3-for-13) with a pair of doubles and three RBI. He’ll continue to function as extra depth at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to open the season.