PHOENIX -- The Padres recalled infielder Cory Spangenberg from Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday prior to their game against the D-backs at Chase Field. In a corresponding move, San Diego outrighted catcher/pitcher Christian Bethancourt to El Paso.
Spangenberg was in the starting lineup, batting second and playing third base on Tuesday. He went 1-for-5 with three strikeouts in a 9-3 loss to the D-backs.
"I felt very good in Spring Training and just kept it going in El Paso," Spangenberg said. "I didn't try to do too much, just tried to enjoy my time there."
It marked the 13th move by the Padres involving their top Minor League team since setting the Opening Day 25-man roster. Spangenberg was optioned out of Spring Training on April 1.
The 26-year-old left-handed hitter was batting .348 in 17 Pacific Coast League games. He played in just 14 Major League contests in 2016 before straining his left quad on April 20 and didn't return that season. Spangenberg said he subsequently tore the quad twice after the original injury.
"That's gone. It's fine now," he said. "It's been awhile since I played every day so that felt good. I guess it was beneficial for me to go down there and play every day. Nobody wants to go to Triple-A, but everything happens for a reason. I'm back here now and I've got to make the most of this opportunity."
The Padres experimented this spring with Bethancourt at the two positions. He was batting .143 (1-for-7) in eight games. On the mound, he made four appearances and amassed a 14.73 ERA by allowing nine runs (six earned) on six hits with eight walks and two strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings.
Manager Andy Green said he wants the experiment to continue in the Minor Leagues, but that's a decision Bethancourt will have to make in the next few days.
"I think the ball's in his court on that," Green said. "Our recommendation, our desire as an organization, is to see him on the mound, to see him on this path that he's currently on with all the emphasis placed on the pitching side of things. He's put in a ton of effort. We just got to the point where we thought the best way for him to develop was to get consistent innings under his belt. And that's difficult up here."