Padres notes: Knehr no worse for wear, Voit finding the barrel

Reiss Knehr dressed slowly after Sunday’s 4-2 loss to the Rockies. He was formally optioned to Triple-A El Paso within the morning, however his luggage had been packed for Chicago with the remainder of the workforce.

With Mike Clevinger and Adrián Morejón nonetheless on the COVID listing, the Padres want arms and he’d greater than earned a spot on the taxi squad with 4 2/3 shutout innings in aid after MacKenzie Gore’s shortest begin of the yr in Saturday’s nightcap.

Knehr was among the many reinforcements when the Padres realized they’d lose two pitchers to COVID protocols.

He was sporting a 7.94 ERA to begin the yr at Triple-A El Paso.

“I haven’t been pitching my greatest down there and I do know that,” Knehr mentioned. “Arising right here and doing what I did, simply proving to myself that I do know I can pitch right here and simply assist this workforce win as many video games as I can.”

The 25-year-old Knehr struck out (20) as many as he walked whereas throwing 29 innings (4.97 ERA) final yr with the Padres. On Saturday, he scattered three hits, struck out three and didn’t stroll a soul.

He didn’t escape with out some harm, although: Connor Joe’s 103.5 mph liner struck him in within the ribs.

Knehr stayed within the recreation and reported to the clubhouse Sunday, no worse for the wear and tear.

“X-rays detrimental,” he mentioned. “This morning I wakened sort of stiff. Robust sleeping, rolling over, however I really feel a lot better now after some remedy right this moment.

“Simply excited to get throwing once more.”

Notable

• DH Luke Voit’s fifth-inning homer, at 109.9 mph, was the toughest batted ball to land for a success this season, however not even his hardest batted ball this week. He lined out at 110.6 mph in Monday’s loss to the Mets. However that ball had a 16-degree launch angle and Sunday’s blast left his bat at 35 levels and carried 438 ft into the third deck of the Western Metallic Provide Co. constructing. “It’s the very best feeling on the earth,” Voit mentioned of barreling a ball like that for his sixth homer of the season. “Hopefully much more of these coming.”
• To switch Knehr on the lively roster the Padres chosen RHP Kyle Tyler’s contract from Triple-A El Paso. The Padres’ 40-man roster is full however Clevinger and Morejón don’t rely in opposition to that quantity whereas on the COVID listing.
• OF Brent Rooker, the 27^th man in Saturday’s doubleheader, additionally returned to El Paso. He has not appeared in a recreation in both of his two stints with the Padres.