CLEVELAND -- For the second straight day, Padres catcher Austin Hedges was not in the starting lineup against the Indians in Thursday night's 11-2 loss due to neck stiffness.
Padres manager Andy Green scratched Hedges from Wednesday's lineup after the catcher was experiencing discomfort in his neck during his pregame warmup. Green said Hedges was feeling better before Thursday's game, but Green wanted to give Hedges an extra day to recover.
"Yeah, he feels a lot better," Green said. "By his account, he's good to go today. But with me, just kind of looking at him and [him] saying he's still a little bit stiff, I just felt like there is no reason to push it given where we are right now."
Green said Hedges will be ready to play in Friday's series opener against the Phillies.
"I fully expect him to play tomorrow," Green said. "I just felt like another day would do him some good."
Hedges is hitting .214 with 11 homers and 36 RBIs in 72 games.
Backup catcher Luis Torrens started on Thursday. Torrens went 1-for-3 with a single and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Tribe.
"His receiving is better, his blocking is better, his at-bats are better," Green said. "He's at the point where he knows he belongs and knows he can play here. He's had enough games under his belt where he's got confidence. I think we're really pleased with his progress."