The Padres optioned Sears to Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday.
Sears will end up losing his spot on the 26-man active roster after the Padres needed to clear room for right-hander Casey Mize, who was acquired from the Tigers on Monday. After being called up from Triple-A on June 23, Sears had started or worked in bulk relief in his first seven appearances for San Diego, logging a 4.26 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB in 31.2 innings. The 30-year-old lefty had shifted to a more traditional relief role by the end of the past week, as he gave up two runs in a one-inning appearance in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Giants.