Friars get lefty bullpen option by signing Loup
PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Padres' bullpen was one of the best in baseball last season, and the entire unit is set to return in 2019. But if there was one deficiency in camp, with Matt Strahm and Robbie Erlin shifting to the rotation, it was from the left side.They found
PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Padres' bullpen was one of the best in baseball last season, and the entire unit is set to return in 2019. But if there was one deficiency in camp, with
They found a solution on Sunday morning. The Padres and southpaw
:: Spring Training coverage presented by Camping World ::
"Once they showed a little interest, I'd heard about the things the [bullpen] had done in the past, and the group they've got, I definitely made sure to check them out," said Loup, who arrived in time for Sunday's workout. "It was definitely something I wanted to be a part of."
In 378 career big league appearances over seven seasons, Loup owns both a 3.49 ERA and FIP. He split time between Toronto and Philadelphia last season, as he compiled a 4.54 ERA. But his peripherals show a pitcher who was better than that mark indicates. Loup fanned 44 hitters in 39 2/3 innings and posted a 3.61 FIP.
Clearly, Loup's strength is getting left-handed hitters out. They posted a .678 OPS against him last season, compared to a .935 mark for righties. Lefty hitters averaged an 83-mph exit velocity against Loup, compared to 90.3 for righties.
As things stand,
The club made room for Loup on its 40-man roster by transferring right-hander
Diaz in doubt
The Padres will await the results of those tests before settling on a next step for Diaz. They've offered no timetable for what's being called a "tweaked" right knee.
In 11 appearances last season, Diaz posted a 4.82 ERA with an impressive 30 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings. He was expected to compete for one of the final spots in the bullpen as the team's long man.
Stewart in the catching mix
Very little has been decided in the Padres' catching battle this spring.
Enter
"We brought him in here for that veteran presence," manager Andy Green said. "He receives well and he can add something to the club, much like
Stewart's profile at the plate isn't promising. He spent most of last season in Triple-A, where he posted a .576 OPS in 47 games. But if he makes the big league club, it'd be due to his abilities on defense and in the clubhouse. If he doesn't, he'll provide useful Minor League depth, and he'd influence a pitching staff littered with top prospects at Triple-A El Paso.
Camp notes
• The clubhouse in Peoria features 70 lockers. There are 70 players in big league camp.
"Most I've ever seen in camp," Green said. "We've got a lot of depth, a lot of competition, and there are a lot of possibilities for constructing the roster this year."
The crowded clubhouse, Green said, could mean a few of the younger pitchers might only get an inning or two in Cactus League play. A few of the younger hitters could only get a couple of at-bats. It'll be up to those youngsters to earn more playing time.
• Erlin and righties
• Prospect Hudson Potts, a 20-year-old third baseman in his first big league camp, crushed an opposite-field home run against Mitchell. If the Padres can't land
:: Spring Training coverage presented by Camping World ::
AJ Cassavell covers the Padres for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajcassavell.