MILWAUKEE -- Life as a bench player in the Major Leagues can be a difficult one for those used to playing every day. It was something outfielder Jabari Blash struggled with.
In the end, playing time with the Padres just wasn't there, and he was designated for assignment on Friday to clear a roster spot for catcher Hector Sanchez.
The Padres hope to keep Blash in the organization, but the Rule 5 pick will first be placed on waivers. If he isn't claimed and put on another Major League roster, he must be offered back to the Mariners for $25,000.
"He was kind of stuck in a spot where he was getting at-bats primarily off the bench and not getting a consistent opportunity," Padres manager Andy Green said. "It is a difficult role to adapt to for a veteran guy, much less a young guy. He was having a hard time having success in that role, and we're in a position where we are not able to give him consistent everyday at-bats.
"Consistent opportunity just wasn't there for Jabari. Because of that he just wasn't able to perform as well as he would have liked to."
Blash was picked sixth overall by Oakland in the Major League phase of the 2015 Rule 5 Draft. He was then sent to San Diego as the player to be named in the trade that sent Yonder Alonso and Marc Rzepczynski to the Athletics and Drew Pomeranz to the Padres.
After hitting .271 with 32 home runs and 81 RBIs between Double-A Jackson and Triple-A Tacoma last season, Blash collected just three hits in 25 at-bats with the Padres.
"Our hope is to orchestrate a trade to keep him in the organization and get him playing every day in Triple-A," Green said. "Then, when opportunity presents itself, hopefully bring him back at some point in time."
Norris expected to avoid DL: It appears as though catcher Derek Norris will avoid a trip to the disabled list after being hit on the left hand by a 95-mph fastball on Thursday. X-rays came back negative, revealing a contusion.

Norris was out of the lineup on Friday, but Green doesn't expect him to miss more than a couple of days.
"He's got good grip strength," Green said. "It is obviously still swollen. He's not able to start [on Friday], but he thinks he can pinch-hit. We'll watch him through the day and see how he will progress."