The San Diego Padres may be ready to go all-in on the youth movement begun by rookie phenom Fernando Tatis Jr.
The team called up infielder Luis Urias from Triple-A El Paso Saturday, along with pitchers Adrian Morejon and Michel Baez, according to MLB.com.
Morejon, 20, will start Sunday as the Padres try to log a win in the final game of a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs.
They dropped the first two games, both by scores of 6-5, in a city beset by the hit wave baking much of the country.
The team had ended the first half on a high, taking three of four from the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.
It’s been tough going ever since.
The Padres have lost seven of eight since returning from the All-Star break and they’ve played sloppy ball besides. The team has made 10 errors in the last eight games.
The skid has left the Padres in last place, tied with the Colorado Rockies, who also have gone cold. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants have been red hot, overtaking both teams for third place.
Just three and a half games separate the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks from the Padres and Rockies, though. The Dodgers have an impressive lead in the division – 15 games ahead of the Diamondbacks.
Urias made his debut with the Padres almost a year ago, and was briefly up with the club in April. He hit .315 in Triple-A, and got a hit upon his big-league return Saturday.
Aside from his Sunday start, Morejon, as well as Baez, are set to be relievers.
“We’re excited to have two more real arms in the bullpen,” manager Andy Green told MLB.com.
– Staff reports