MIAMI -- Padres left-hander Christian Friedrich will skip his next scheduled start but is available to come out of the bullpen, according to San Diego manager Andy Green.
Friedrich took his eighth consecutive loss on Tuesday and hasn't won since June 23 in Cincinnati. Friedrich is 4-10 with a 4.89 ERA this season, and he is tied with Colin Rea for most starts (18) -- a career high -- on the Padres' staff. Friedrich started 16 games in his rookie season (2012) with Colorado.
Friedrich's 99 1/3 innings are also a career high, topping his '12 mark of 84 2/3 frames. It's also more than he threw in his previous two seasons combined (82 2/3 innings).
The workload could be taking its toll.
Green said he plans on skipping Friedrich's next start and instead using him very sparingly out of the bullpen for the next few days.
"With the two off-days, it gives him a little extra rest," Green said. "I think we'll use him out of the bullpen -- not today. But he'll be available the next two days and probably the first two days in Atlanta where he might throw a couple of innings."
There had been some speculation that the Padres might shut him down for the season, but Green gave no indication of that.
"We'll kind of minimize his workload with the intention of getting him back to the rotation for another start," Green said.