SAN DIEGO -- The Padres will employ a six-man rotation for the rest of the season, manager Andy Green announced Tuesday.
"That would be the expectation, but we always reserve the right to change things," Green said. "If something's not functioning the way we want it to, then we'll adjust it accordingly."
Right-hander Jordan Lyles, who made his team debut when he started the nightcap of a doubleheader against the Dodgers on Saturday, will remain in the rotation, joining left-handers Clayton Richard and Travis Wood, and right-handers Jhoulys Chacin, Luis Perdomo and Dinelson Lamet. The move affords extra rest for the Padres' younger arms, Green said.
"I think you get to this point in the season, and there's really no reason not to rest, especially your younger guys in Lamet and Perdomo, which gives them an extra day off between every start as they finish up this year," Green said.
Perdomo, in his second Major League season, has thrown 146 2/3 innings, surpassing his rookie total of 140 1/3. Lamet, a rookie, has pitched 131 frames between San Diego and Triple-A El Paso. He threw 150 innings across three Minor League levels in 2016.
Green pointed to the Padres' off-days bookending a two-game series in Minnesota as a time when the six-man rotation might change, given the possibility of the starters receiving too much rest.
The Padres signed Lyles, 26, as a Minor League free agent in August after the Rockies released him. Once viewed as a top prospect, Lyles struggled and was moved to Colorado's bullpen, where success continued to evade him.
He had a 5.80 ERA in 68 relief outings the past two seasons before Saturday's start, in which he held Los Angeles to two runs in 4 1/3 innings. Almost half of Lyles' pitches were his two- and four-seam fastballs, offerings that impressed Green.
"He's got good explosion up in the zone," Green said. "To me, [Lyles] is an interesting guy because there's reasons to use either [fastball]. It's not as clear cut as some guys are. He's got a number of weapons."
The decision also means Miguel Diaz, a Rule 5 Draft selection whose high-velocity fastball has impressed the Padres, will continue to serve as the team's long reliever, pitching extended outings when necessary.
Worth noting
• Outfielder Hunter Renfroe is the Padres' nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, which goes to a player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.
• El Paso outfielder Nick Buss won the Pacific Coast League batting title, hitting .348 for the Chihuahuas. The 30-year-old is in his first year in the Padres' organization but has Major League experience with the Dodgers and Angels.
• The San Diego Padres and Callaway Golf announced Tuesday that The Links at Petco Park will return for the third year in a row. For $75, fans will have the opportunity to participate in a nine-hole golf experience on the field at Petco Park from Oct. 5-10.