Giolito Injured, Sears Joins Padres Rotation

The San Diego Padres' starting battery will see changes as pitcher Lucas Giolito was placed on the injured list Tuesday with elbow inflammation. Left-hander J.P. Sears has been recalled to take Giolito's roster spot and is slated to start Wednesday's series finale against the Atlanta Braves. This move allows pitcher Randy Vásquez to be shifted back a day, giving him extra rest before his start on Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In other roster news, catcher Freddy Fermin has been activated from the seven-day concussion injured list. Fermin, sidelined since June 13, was not in Tuesday's lineup, with Rodolfo Durán starting behind the plate. Blake Hunt has been optioned to Triple-A El Paso. Giolito's injury, described as a recurrence of previous elbow issues, will keep him out until at least July 6. Manager Craig Stammen expressed the team's desire to manage Giolito's workload proactively. Sears' recall, originally scheduled to pitch in Triple-A on Wednesday, provides an opportunity to manage Vásquez's innings, who has seen his ERA increase in recent starts. The team anticipates calling up Jhony Brito during a busy 17-game stretch leading up to the All-Star break, potentially utilizing openers or piggyback pitchers. Reliever Bradgley Rodriguez is eligible to return Monday, and Jeremiah Estrada is also nearing a return from the injured list before the break.