PHILADELPHIA -- The Padres placed outfielder Ramón Laureano on the 10-day IL with right hip inflammation ahead of Tuesday’s game in Philadelphia.
In a corresponding move, they promoted Jase Bowen from Triple-A El Paso to join their bench mix. Nick Pivetta was transferred to the 60-day IL to clear space on the 40-man roster for Bowen.
Bowen, the 25-year-old Ohio native who will be making his big league debut, has been mashing with Triple-A El Paso, hitting 13 homers with a .962 OPS. He figures to take over as the Padres’ primary backup in center field, while also serving as a pinch-hitting or pinch-running option off the bench.
Laureano, meanwhile, had started the season strong but has slumped to a .203 batting average with a .660 OPS. It’s unclear when his hip began bothering him.
Bowen joined the club on a Minor League deal with an invite to big league Spring Training, after he’d spent six seasons in the Pirates’ system. He largely impressed during camp and was one of the team’s final cuts before the start of the season. He was sent to Triple-A, where he has continued to hit.
A right-handed hitter, Bowen is expected to serve as Jackson Merrill’s backup, with the possibility that he could get a few starts against left-handed pitching.