Padres shuffle rotation, start Lucchesi in opener vs Mets
NEW YORK (AP) The San Diego Padres shuffled their rotation and were set to start Joey Lucchesi in the series opener at the New York Mets.
Eric Lauer was pushed back a day and will start Tuesday. Clayton Richard, the third straight left-hander, starts Wednesday's series finale.
Padres manager Andy Green said his plan always had been to start Lucchesi and attributed the mix-up to miscommunication with the club's public relations department.
San Diego placed right-hander Colten Brewer on the 10-day disabled list with a strained left oblique and recalled Lucchesi from Triple-A El Paso. Green said Brewer got hurt on the pitch that induced Rhys Hoskins to line out leading off the ninth inning of Sunday's doubleheader opener at Philadelphia. Brewer struck out the next two batters, finishing the game.
''Yesterday was a little bit sore. Came in today was a lot bit sore,'' Green said. ''We're thinking it might be an oblique, and as soon as you hear that word you expect considerable time. So hoping it's not that severe, but it was one of things where out training staff didn't think he was going to pitch in the next couple weeks.''
Right-hander Kazuhisa Makita, the 26th player in Sunday's doubleheader split at Philadelphia, was returned to Triple-A El Paso.
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