MLB Player News

Kelly is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Padres.

The Cubs will keep Kelly on the bench for the second game in a row, affording Miguel Amaya another turn behind the plate after he went 1-for-2 with a double in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Brewers. Kelly has been serviceable throughout the season with a .276/.362/.391 slash line across 218 plate appearances and still appears to be the Cubs' No. 1 catcher.

The Padres optioned Wagner to Triple-A El Paso on Monday.

Wagner served as a strong-side platoon player for most of his three-week stay in the big leagues, slashing .257/.422/.286 while scoring five runs in 16 games. Since Wagner was likely to become an odd man out of the lineup with another left-handed hitter in Jake Cronenworth (concussion) returning from the 7-day injured list Moday, the Padres opted to send the 27-year-old to Triple-A so that he can continue to play regularly.

The Padres placed Morgan on the 15-day injured list Monday due to left knee inflammation.

The injury may have cropped up following Morgan's most recent relief appearance against the Dodgers on Friday, when he struck out two but allowed one run on two hits. He'll be replaced in the San Diego bullpen by right-hander Bradgley Rodriguez, who was called up from Double-A San Antonio. Morgan owns a 4.50 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 26:13 K:BB across 22 innings in the majors this season.

The Padres recalled Rodriguez from Double-A San Antonio on Monday.

San Diego initially sent Rodriguez to the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on June 19, a move that was made to build in some rest for the hard-throwing right-hander. Rodriguez eventually moved up to San Antonio, with whom he made his lone appearance Sunday before getting the call back to the big leagues. The 22-year-old has been exceptional during his time with San Diego this season (2.10 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 32:12 K:BB in 34.1 innings), but due to the number of quality arms in the bullpen, Rodriguez may have to settle for a middle-relief role.

Sheets is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cubs.

The Padres will send the left-handed-hitting Sheets to the bench while southpaw Shota Imanaga take the hill for the Cubs in the series opener. With Sheets taking a seat, Ty France will draw the start at first base and Miguel Andujar will serve as San Diego's designated hitter.

Winn (elbow) completed a 25-pitch bullpen Monday, Evan Webeck of the California Post reports.

Winn is currently on the 15-day injured list after suffering a right elbow strain earlier in the month. However, he was cleared to resume throwing one week ago, and he's since progressed to mound work. Webeck notes that Winn will remain in Arizona to continue his rehab, and if all goes well, he'll pitch in an Arizona Complex League game at the end of the week.

Duran is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cubs.

For about a two-week stretch earlier this month, Duran served as the Padres' No. 1 catcher, but he's faded into more of a timeshare since Freddy Fermin returned from the 7-day injured list Tuesday. Though Fermin and Duran have now started three times apiece over the last six games, the playing time will likely tilt more in Fermin's direction once he's further removed from a concussion.

Peguero (hamstring) threw 30 pitches during a bullpen session Monday, Evan Webeck of the California Post reports.

Peguero landed on the 60-day injured list June 1 due to a left hamstring strain, but it appears his rehab is coming along at a nice pace. He was immediately placed on the 60-day IL after suffering the injury, so he won't be eligible to be reinstated until the end of July. Peguero will presumably be asked to complete at least another bullpen or two before facing live hitters.

France (wrist) will start at first base and bat fifth in Monday's game against the Cubs.

France didn't start in either of the final two games of the Padres' weekend series versus the Dodgers while he dealt with a sore wrist, but he was able to come off the bench to make a pinch-hitting appearance in Sunday's 4-2 loss. Though he was hit by a pitch in his lone trip to the plate, France stayed in the game and went on to play the final inning at first base. He'll now rejoin the starting nine for the series opener in Chicago and will look to continue what's been a productive offensive run of late. Over his last eight games, France has gotten on base at a .407 clip while mashing four home runs and two doubles and driving in 10 runs.

Bader (foot) will start his hitting and throwing progressions later this week, Evan Webeck of the California Post reports.

Bader landed on the 10-day injured list in late May due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot. He was cleared to start running after getting stem-cell treatment for his foot, and he's on track to resume hitting and throwing in the coming days. Bader's next step is to embark on a rehab assignment, though it's unclear whether he'll be ready to return to the majors before the mid-July All-Star break.