Padres interim skipper Pat Murphy tells Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune that he is grateful for the chance to take the helm, even if he doesn’t end up keeping the seat for next year. The industry expectation is that San Diego will search for a new manager, says Lin, though the club has yet to make its direction clear. Murphy covers the full scope of his career in the interesting interview, concluding with a pitch for a full shot at running the Pads’ dugout: “I’m certain I can do it,” he says. “I’d love the opportunity to go to spring training and try to change the culture and create a dynamic that leads the Padres into great success in the future.”
Here’s more from San Diego and the rest of the NL West:
- Padres righty Seth Streich, who came to San Diego along with catcher Derek Norris in last winter’s trade with the Athletics, recently underwent Tommy John surgery, MLB.com’s Corey Brock reports on Twitter. Streich had already missed this season due to shoulder surgery — as the club expected when it acquired him — but the new procedure will bump out his recovery window by at least another year.
- It remains to be seen whether outfielder Justin Upton will play again for the Padres this year, tweets Brock. As Brock had reported previously, Upton had suffered a scary-looking collision with the outfield wall. It’s obviously good news that the injury seems minor, but it could well spell the end of the pending free agent’s tenure in San Diego.
- Ryan Vogelsong says he’s committed to pitching next year, but doubts it will be with the Giants, as Alex Pavlovic of the Mercury News reports. “The last month, not getting a lot of time on the mound, I’m probably not high on the priority list – which is something hate to say, as much as I love it here and love everybody in the clubhouse,” said Vogelsong. While he declined to shut the door on a return, he explained that his usage “pretty much puts the writing on the wall.” The 38-year-old continued: “I really don’t have any expectations now other than I want to play and I’d like a chance to start and I still feel I can take the ball for 32 starts in a season. We’ll see where the wind blows me. Physically I feel as good as I have. My arm feels good. I still feel I have a lot to offer to somebody, and we’ll see who that is.”
- Dodgers lefty Brett Anderson had a strong outing tonight to cap a nice year, and was rewarded for it. By topping 180 innings, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles News Group was among those to note, Anderson moved past two bonus milestones (175 and 180 innings) in his contract. All told, after adding $750K this evening on top of already-earned payouts, the 27-year-old has tacked on $2.4MM to the $10MM guarantee he received as a free agent. Even better, a healthy and productive season has Anderson set up nicely for his return to the open market this winter.
The Oregonian
I realize Vogelsong is a fierce competitor, but he shouldn’t be complaining about how he hasn’t been used much this last month, since his performance is really what’s put the writing on the wall – 4.81 ERA, 4.67 FIP, 1.5 WHIP, in 131 IP. They signed him in the offseason as a show of loyalty, but the Giants don’t owe him playing time anymore. If he can find more somewhere else, so be it.
spooky
Well said. Vogelsong was fantastic and got all the credit he deserved for his unbelievable comeback but his performance the last couple years has been subpar. To make the situation tough, Vogey insists that he is still on his game even though any Giants fan who watches with a baseball IQ knows otherwise. Best wishes to a good dude who could probably be a solid mop up/desperate spot starter that still thinks he belongs in a rotation. Vogeys story will live forever though.
thecoffinnail
He can’t be any worse than Capuano.. I apologize if I have missed it somewhere along the lines but did the reason for him not signing in Houston ever come to light?
spooky
If the reason came out then i missed it as well. Vogelsong is no doubt better than Capuano. Not sure how that lefty still gets to take a MLB mound.
thecoffinnail
I am glad to see Anderson finally have a healthy year.. I hope the rest of his career stays injury free..
zippytms
Pat Murphy has done a pretty good job of mananging an oddly-constructed roster. I’m certain he’ll get heavy consideration for the permanent gig this offseason.
Sad news about Seth Streich. He fell off the radar this year with the shoulder injury, but this is the first I’ve heard about him undergoing a TJ.