The Padres announced this afternoon that they’ve selected the contract of right-hander David Morgan. Righty Logan Gillaspie is headed for the 15-day injured list due to a left oblique strain, which creates space for Morgan on the active roster. Righty Bryan Hoeing was transferred to the 60-day IL to open up a 40-man roster spot for Morgan.
Morgan, 25, is in line to make his big league debut once he gets into a game. Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Padres back in 2022, the right-hander made just three complex league appearances in his first year with the club. He pitched to decent results in Single- and High-A in 2023 but took a step backwards last year when he struggled to a 5.35 ERA in 22 appearances at the Double-A level. He struck out just 18.9% of his opponents while walking 11.2%, but the first few appearances of his return to the level this year have gone much more smoothly. Morgan has pitched to a 3.12 ERA across seven outings this season with an incredible 50% strikeout rate and just one walked allowed. That dominating run of outings at Double-A was evidently enough for the Padres to give Morgan a look at the big league level despite it lasting just 8 2/3 innings and the righty having no experience at even Triple-A so far in his career.
Morgan’s addition to the roster is made possible by the departure of Logan Gillaspie, who was selected to the roster earlier this month. Gillaspie was added as a long relief option and had pitched to a 2.57 ERA in seven innings despite walking as many batters as he’s struck out (4). The right-hander has now been sidelined by an oblique strain, however, and figures to be on the shelf for at least the next couple of weeks. Gillaspie has made only a handful of big league appearances prior to this year between San Diego and Baltimore, though he’s struggled in those limited outings with a 5.02 ERA in 37 2/3 innings of work entering this season.
As for Hoeing, the righty was acquired alongside Tanner Scott from the Marlins at the trade deadline last year. After struggling in his first two seasons with the Marlins, 2024 proved to be something of a breakout for Hoeing as he pitched to a 2.18 ERA in 53 2/3 innings of work, including a 1.52 ERA in 18 appearances with San Diego down the stretch. Hoeing was considered for a move into the starting rotation by the Padres throughout the offseason, though they ultimately opted to keep him in the bullpen instead. Unfortunately, even a relief role hasn’t been available to him so far this year as he’s been sidelined since the start of camp due to shoulder soreness.
Hoeing will now be unavailable for at least another month, as he’ll first be eligible to be activated on May 26 due to having spent the entire season to this point on the injured list. His transfer to the 60-day IL may seem alarming at first glance, but it appears as though it may be nothing more than a procedural move. After all, MLB.com notes that Hoeing has already begun throwing bullpen sessions. It’s unclear when the righty could begin a rehab assignment, but given his lack of work in camp it would be understandable if the Padres wanted to give him a relatively long one to build up towards a return to the majors. A longer rehab stint could leave Hoeing away from the Padres until late May anyway.
Interesting line for David Morgan in AA: He’s pitched 8.2 innings, faced 38 batters, struck out 19 of them, walked 1, and gave up 3 homers.
Exciting day for him and his family getting the call!
Can he hit?
Hoeing to 60-day? I guess he won’t be back in early May as the team suggested 2 days ago.
Hoeing will be eligible to come off the IL on May 24th. He still needs an extended rehab in the minors, so we could see him in El Paso in the next week. He only just threw his first bullpen with breaking balls on the 15th of this month. He is on schedule.
yeah, not early May
They didn’t say he would return to the Padres in early May, they said he could go out on a rehab assignment in early May.
ok
This is a head scratcher for me. Reiss Knehr has been in BP at El Paso pitching ok as opposed to this guy?
Maybe thought is that he will clear in a week as opposed to some other guys that could have been selected. He is mop duty insurance so fair enough thought.
Intersting move. Morgan qualifies both as a hitter and a pitcher so like Ohtani he will open up roster possibilities.
I didn’t see that. The MLB transactions plage just lists him as a pitcher.
I blew it. I was listening to 97.3 here and they were saying he qualified as both so I repeated it. Should have looked myself. .
BR lists him also as a LF.
Good to know that I didn’t totally blow it. Do you know what this kid’s velocity is like. He is striking out 19.7 per 9 vs 1.0 BB/9 in his 7 appearances for San Antonio
He’s a K guy for sure I see.
Maybe he can play short. I don’t know anything about him but he probably has more range than Bogearts and can actually make the throw to first.
Some good news. Its looking like from comments today by Shildt that both Arraez and Merrill are going to be back on the 28th for the series against the Giants. Cronenworth has been out there doing all the IF practice this whole series, so he could be ready as soon as he can deal with the pain when he makes contact on a swing. Heyward should be able to return on the 29th. We could have the band back together before they leave on the next road trip.
Darvish threw all of his pitches in his last bullpen on Friday and Shildt said he thought he would need to 3-4 rehab starts to be ready, so he could be back by the Braves series on the road or the Marlins series at home.
Sean Reynolds could also be back by the Giants Series. He has 2 scoreless appearances with El Paso so far. He would take Morgan’s place on the roster.
That’s surprising if true about Merrill returning on the 29th against the Giants. Yesterday on post-game Shildt discussed him going to Peoria next week to rehab.
I didn’t hear him talk about anything other than Cease on the post game.
Maybe it was postgame Friday, but definitely said that in past couple days
The dude called up went to Hope International University?!?! What the heck is that? Sounds like some thing funded by Barack OBama. Hope and Changey U.
It’s a private Christian uni in Fullerton, just fyi.
Republican Herbert Hoover was president in 1928 when HIU was established.
Republican Calvin Coolidge was actually the president in 1928; Hoover won the election that November.
Hope has some cooperation with Cal State Fullerton which has more of a baseball reputation.
Thanks for the correction!
Gerry Cooney says “hell yeah!”
Well, Padres fans, this is the time of year when all ya can say is “Embrace the suck!”. Too many injuries to key players (i.e. named “Merrill”), and the rest of the team is flat (i.e. staffed largely by 4A and other minor leaguers, who can’t hit.).
But, look on the positive side of it. If this is as bad as it gets, it’s early, and the Pads built up a hedge of wins. Still could develop into a banner (i.e. “World Series”) year. But right now … not so much.
As far as Morgan is concerned, I wish him luck, welcome to the show and all that. My first thought is that when all the regulars start returning to the roster, there’ll be a 40 man crunch, and there’ll be no room for some of the guys coming up right now. AJ Preller might be adding bodies with some up side who could help the team, but that will also be less painful to trade or release when the time comes. Then again, when AJP releases Gurriel, and maybe a one or two others (named Heyward?), space will open on both rosters. 😉
Go Padres!
Just got to weather the storm. I’m glad it’s in April/May as opposed to down the stretch. Give the Morgan kid a shot…who knows what could happen.