The Padres announced that they’ve placed right-hander Phil Maton on the 10-day disabled list with a a right lat strain. His roster spot will go to fellow righty Kazuhisa Makita, who’s returning after a short stint at the Triple-A level.
At 15-26, the Padres appear likely to finish under .500 for the eighth straight season. This year’s club isn’t teeming with bright spots, then, though Maton and the bullpen in general have been outstanding. The 25-year-old Maton has pitched to a microscopic .56 ERA with 9.56 K/9, 3.94 BB/9 and a 42.2 percent groundball rate across 16 innings. He’s among a slew of relievers who have been effective for the Padres, whose bullpen ranks toward the top of the majors in fWAR (third), ERA (sixth), K/BB ratio (sixth) and grounder rate (seventh).
Makita, on the other hand, didn’t do San Diego’s run prevention numbers any favors before it demoted him earlier this week. The 33-year-old rookie, an offseason free-agent pickup from Japan, has notched a 6.75 ERA and a paltry 22.2 percent grounder mark over his first 16 MLB frames. On the positive side, the soft-tossing Makita has matched Maton’s K/BB rates and logged an impressive swinging-strike percentage (15.4).
Maton gots that spin rate on lock down
Maybe by next year he could be in discussion to take over the closer role. After the inevitable Hand trade of course.
Possibly, but more likely that it is Trey Wingenter or Andres Munoz. Prospects number 20 and 21 respectively in the Padres top 30. Both guys can touch 100 MPH and have profiled as in house closer candidates of the very near future.
Probably want to see those 100 mph flame throwers be able to get big leaguers our first. Maton has shown that. Bruce Rondon had great velocity too…
Man I hope the trade Hand. Before he breaks down from overuse. Two innings last night, and I’m sure Green will have no reservations about throwing him back out there today.
You called it and Hand was probably tired.. wasn’t sharp
Right now it’s like a double edged sword with Hand. Every time they use him and he is effective, his trade value goes up. At the same time, the chance for injury also increases, along with a steep drop in value.
Maton has earned the right to close if and when Brad Hand is traded. He’s been lights out. Hopefully he comes back healthy.
Munoz and Wingenter can replace the padres trading Stammen and Yates who have also been quite effective this year and should bring back a decent return if they can continue pitching how they’ve been at the deadline.