Renfroe hits disabled list with neck strain

Padres call up Blash from Triple-A to take spot in right

July 15th, 2017

SAN DIEGO -- The All-Star break couldn't cure 's neck strain, so the Padres placed their rookie right fielder on the disabled list Friday, prior to the start of the season's second half.
Renfroe sustained the injury while swinging on a seventh-inning double Saturday in Philadelphia. Outfielder has been recalled in Renfroe's place.
After back-dating Renfroe's DL stint by three days, the Padres are hopeful he will return as soon as he's eligible -- on Thursday in San Francisco. He's hitting .231/.287/.449 this season, and he's tied for the team lead with 16 homers.
"Neck's feeling better, and I'm just taking it day by day," Renfroe said. "... I was trying to battle through it a little bit toward the end, knowing I had those four days and thinking if I made it through, I'd be fine. I had that one awkward swing that kind of tore it loose, but I'm feeling good."
Blash, who has 18 home runs and a .291 average for Triple-A El Paso, is expected to slot into Renfroe's spot in right field. In parts of two seasons in the organization, Blash has been great for El Paso, but he's struggled when he's received the big league call.

However, Blash's playing time has been largely sporadic, and this represents yet another a chance for him to turn around his fortunes with the Padres. He's hit .150 with a .593 OPS since San Diego selected him in the 2015 Rule 5 Draft.
"The one thing with Jabari is he's spent some time here at the Major League level, but he's never gotten consistent at-bats," said Padres manager Andy Green. "We're not committing to every-single-day at-bats, but while he's here and while Hunter's on the DL, I think he's going to play consistently. We've been really pleased with what he's done down in Triple-A."
Green noted that the organization has been especially impressed with a few adjustments Blash made recently. Since the beginning of June, he is batting .308 with a 1.111 OPS.
"I've been having really good at-bats in El Paso," Blash said. "My direction is better, and I'm seeing the ball well, putting good swings on good pitches, and I'm in a groove. … I'm happy to be back." 
Worth noting
• In a separate roster move, righty reliever was placed on the paternity list, while right-hander was recalled. Yates, who owns a 1.93 ERA in 30 appearances for the Padres this season, is expected to rejoin the club Monday in Colorado.
• Outfielder , who has been recovering from a fracture in his right foot, has been cleared for all baseball activity and will likely begin a rehab stint this weekend.
• Second baseman took batting practice with the team on Friday but only took hacks from the left side. Solarte, a switch-hitter, sustained a left oblique strain last month, and swinging right-handed has been particularly difficult. But the Padres are optimistic he'll begin a rehab stint in the next week or two.