ST. PETERSBURG -- Wil Myers has only started two games this season in right field. The Padres primary first baseman has played just five games all year in the outfield. But Monday night he was in right field and it was a familiar setting.
Myers primarily played in the outfield during his two seasons with Tampa Bay, where he was named the American League Rookie of the Year in 2013. Of the 175 games he played for the Rays, 150 were in right field.
"I'm excited about that," Myers said before the game. "I'm pretty used to it out there in right field."
The move was made necessary because of the lack of outfield depth that the Padres are currently facing. With Jabari Blash in need of a day off, according to manager Andy Green, the Padres have to turn to either Myers or catcher Christian Bethancourt to spell his everyday outfielders. Blash, Travis Jankowski and Alex Dickerson have become San Diego's starting outfield, and the only options behind them aren't outfielders by trade.
"We're obviously short in the outfield department," Green said. "Wil's played outfield here more than anyone else on our team, so he should be fine."
San Diego hopes it will get some outfield reinforcements soon. Jon Jay went to the doctor earlier in the day, and Green was still waiting for a prognosis. The hope is he'll be cleared to begin swinging.
Worth nothing
• Green said that Tropicana Field is one of the only places in baseball where they tell players to never take their eye off the ball. With the roof matching the color of the ball, Green said it's a lot easier to lose sight of it. And that's not the only aspect of the Trop that is somewhat foreign to San Diego.
"You got a warning track that really blends in with the turf, and you don't know the difference," Green said. "It's less than ideal. But it's something in a three-game set that we've got to deal with."
• Tyson Ross is still on track to throw live batting practice on Tuesday. He's made only one start this season, on Opening Day, and has been on the sideline since with a right shoulder injury that was compounded by a left ankle injury.
• Chris Paddack had successful Tommy John surgery on Monday. Paddack was the prospect traded to the Padres this season in the deal that sent Fernando Rodney to the Marlins. He had an 0.64 ERA in three appearances with Class A Fort Wayne after the trade.