Nick Ahmed joins playoff race as Luis Arraez takes a seat - San Diego Union-Tribune

Nick Ahmed performed the primary 10 years within the majors with the Diamondbacks. He began this season with the Giants, landed with Dodgers in July after his launch, was finally granted free company after taking part in simply 17 video games and signed a minor-league take care of the Padres simply in time to be eligible for the postseason.

If the Major League Baseball Players Association ever creates an NL West punch card …

“I’ve got one more team to knock off the list,” Ahmed stated with a snigger on Sunday morning as he settled into the house clubhouse at Petco Park. “It’s been a wild last 12 months, but for some reason this division’s been home.”

For the 34-yr-previous Ahmed, it’s solely going to get wilder from right here.

The Padres might rejoice a postseason berth as quickly as this night in the event that they win their 1:10 p.m. recreation towards the White Sox and each the Braves and Mets lose their video games.

It’s what Ahmed envisioned as he recognized groups he might be a part of after his alternative with the Dodgers didn't pan out.

Landing with the Padres on Aug. 31 made him eligible for the postseason. To make room, proper-hander Jhony Brito was recalled and positioned on the 60-day injured record with a proper elbow sprain and infielder Mason McCoy was positioned on the ten-day injured record, retroactive to Sept. 19, with again irritation.

A two-time Gold Glove winner (2018-19), Ahmed figures to serve the staff in the identical capability as McCoy, as a late-recreation defensive alternative and occasional starter. McCoy initially joined the staff from Triple-A El Paso as an interim starter at shortstop, however Ha-Seong Kim’s shoulder has not recovered as shortly as hoped, forcing the Padres to maneuver Xander Bogaerts to the opposite facet of second base to get Donovan Solano’s bat into the lineup extra typically.

Ahmed hit .232/.271/.300 with two homers and two steals over 221 plate appearances with the Giants and Dodgers. He has not performed in a recreation since Aug. 18, in St. Louis, so he’s spent the final three weeks in Peoria getting dwell at-bats and staying sharp within the subject.

Ahmed just isn't in Sunday’s beginning lineup — Bogaerts is at shortstop — however earlier than lengthy he’ll be within the thick of a postseason race.

Good morning, Faithful. It’s Darvish Day! pic.twitter.com/XohaR5rYko
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 22, 2024

“It’s great,” Ahmed stated. “Anytime you join a team that’s winning and in contention and got a chance to make the playoffs and do some damage in October, is a lot of fun. So, you know, had some other opportunities to go to different teams after the Dodgers let me go and just was obviously trying to target a team that had a chance to win and play in the playoffs.”

He added: “Great team. Really, really deep offensively. Pitching staff has obviously been upgraded a ton, but just a super talented team. Love the way they play, a lot of energy and just excited to be here and be part of it.”

Arraez sits

Luis Arraez is sitting for the second time since banging his left knee on a play on the plate on Monday. He was in noticeable discomfort whereas attempting to decelerate after beating out an infield single within the first inning.

The break day Sunday, mixed with an off-day on Monday, will give Arraez two days off what he stated was a bruised knee.

“I don’t feel 100 percent, but today I feel better,” Arraez stated. “Yesterday was a tough day for me. I felt a little pinch, but I’ll be OK.”

Without Arraez within the lineup, left fielder Jurickson Profar will lead off, Fernando Tatis Jr. will get a second DH day this week, David Peralta might be in proper subject and Solano will get the beginning at first base.

Here is how the White Sox, who will tie the 1962 Mets with a file 120 losses with a defeat immediately, will line up for the collection finale:

Today's starters: pic.twitter.com/4ufgf6x8s9
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 22, 2024

Notable

SS Ha-Seong Kim threw from past 90 ft earlier than the sport, however he's with out a timetable and is heading to Peoria to proceed his rehab whereas the Padres start their highway journey in Los Angeles.

Sunday’s pitching matchup

White Sox RHP Sean Burke (1-0, 2.25 ERA)

The 2021 third-rounder allowed two runs in 5 innings in a win on Sunday towards the Athletics in his first massive-league begin. He has progressed from 53 pitches in three innings out of the bullpen in his debut to 85 pitches in Sunday’s begin. Burke had a 4.62 ERA in 64⅓ innings this season at Triple-A Charlotte.

This is his first look towards the Padres or anybody of their lineup.

Padres RHP Yu Darvish (6-3, 3.21 ERA)

He was as much as 79 pitches whereas shutting out the Astros over six innings in his final begin. Darvish has a 3.29 ERA in three begins (13⅔ IP) since his return to the rotation. He has a 3.57 ERA in seven begins towards the White Sox, the final in 2022 (6 IP, 3 ER).

Here is how Darvish has fared towards present White Sox hitters: