The Padres are planning to have a healthy Mike Clevinger ready for Spring Training, per MLB.com’s Shaun O’Neill.
The 30-year-old made just four starts after being acquired from Cleveland midway through the 2020 season. He underwent his second Tommy John surgery, missing the entirety of the 2021 season. Clevinger’s absence was one reason President of Baseball Ops A.J. Preller went out and acquired Joe Musgrove, Blake Snell, and Yu Darvish last winter, though even those additions ended up being insufficient as injuries took their toll on the Friars.
Dinelson Lamet’s inability to stay on the hill certainly played a part, as the right-hander could not stay healthy enough to hold a rotation spot. He came off the injured list on April 21, but made just one appearance before landing back on the shelf. He later missed another 66 days with forearm inflammation. Lamet ended up moving to the bullpen, making 11 appearances in relief. He finished with a 4.40 ERA/3.94 FIP across 47 innings. His role in 2022 will be undecided until the spring, notes O’Neill.
They Padres are open to re-signing Tommy Pham, Preller said, but it’s going to be a numbers game in terms of the financials. The 33-year-old put up 1.4 rWAR in 561 plate appearances, leaving room for an upgrade should the Padres find the right player. Pham’s contributions were suitable, though a .229/.340/.383 at the plate leaves much to be desired.
The Padres have some flexibility in the outfielder corners, where Will Myers, Jurickson Profar, and Adam Frazier could all see time next season. Ideally, however, only one of those three lines up at an opening day starter.
There are plenty of corner outfielders available in free agency, so the Padres don’t have to rush a decision on Pham. Eddie Rosario, Jorge Soler, Joc Pederson, Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, Starling Marte, Seiya Suzuki, and Avisail Garcia are just some of the corner outfielders available, as well as more versatile options like Kris Bryant and Chris Taylor.
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