SAN DIEGO -- The Padres' patience with Bryan Mitchell has reached its end -- for now.
The right-handed Mitchell was removed from the rotation on Monday. Mitchell, who was acquired with Chase Headley from the Yankees in the offseason, was scheduled to start on Thursday. Jordan Lyles will move from the bullpen to fill Mitchell's spot.
"The message to him was to earn it back," manager Andy Green said. "It wasn't, 'Hey you're going to the bullpen for the rest of your career with the San Diego Padres.' It was, 'Go down there and throw one good inning and dominate that inning and then dominate two innings, and go at this aggressively and then you will feel like you have right to be in this rotation.'"
Mitchell (0-3) was winless in seven starts with a 6.47 ERA. In Saturday's outing against the Dodgers, Mitchell surrendered four runs on five hits and four walks.
"We still believe very much in his stuff," Green said.
Mitchell showed why when Cody Bellinger was one of his five strikeout victims in the Mexico Series opener.
"[Bellinger] only chased one curveball in dirt last year, and Bryan punches him out with one," Green said. "So we see flashes of brilliance.
"But probably the best way for him to be a starter with the Padres is to take a step back, go to the bullpen and dominate in a different role for a while."
Green said Mitchell's use will be dictated by game situations.
"He handled it a professional manner," Green said of Mitchell's reaction. "He took ownership that he can do better."
Injury updates
Southpaw Matt Strahm (knee) was reinstated from the disabled list on Monday. He'll replace righty Kazuhisa Makita, who was optioned to Triple-A El Paso.
Strahm pitched an inning of relief for the Padres in Spring Training. He's been working his way back from July knee surgery after he came over from the Royals last summer. This season, he had nine rehab appearances (two starts) for Double-A San Antonio and went 1-0 with a 2.51 ERA.
"He has a live lefty arm, which we really haven't had because we are saving Brad [Hand]," Green said, refering to his left-handed closer. "This gives us some matchup possibilities that we haven't had before."