SHILDT SAYS: Thoughts on the passing of Bryce Miller; Cease’s shutout effort; Tough decisions on final cuts, and Tirso Ornelas heading back to Triple-A El Paso
Mike Shildt opened Sunday morning’s media session asking for a moment for San Diego Union Tribune columnist Bryce Miller, who passed away Saturday at the age of 56 after a two-year fight against bladder cancer.
“If we could take a minute to remember Bryce,” said Shildt. “This is clearly tragic. He dedicated his life to journalism. It is a sad day for his family. It is important that we remember him this morning.”
Before Sunday’s media session, the Padres designated catcher Brett Sullivan for assignment and optioned outfielder Tirso Ornelas and left-handed pitcher Wes Benjamin to Triple-A El Paso. The Padres also purchased the contract of shortstop Mason McCoy.
With the moves, the Padres have 40 players in their Major League camp. Shildt said the Padres’ Opening Day 26-man roster would have 13 position players and 13 pitchers.
Shildt discussed right-hander Dylan Cease, who pitched five shutout innings against the Reds Saturday:
“Gosh man, Dylan was as good as you can be,” said Shildt. “Whether it was spring training, the regular season or the playoffs … that was impressive. He’s obviously been very successful in this league with two plus/plus pitches — the exceptional fastball and the wipeout slider.”
“And now he’s going to add a legitimate, swing-and-miss/soft contact changeup and then he’s able to runs a two-seamer inside. So you have to protect both sides of the plate. You have to protect east/west and north/south.”
“The guy is already elite. But you are going to see what you saw yesterday. Another thing I appreciated about it. He was at 63 pitches after five innings. That’s going to allow him to do something that is important for him and us — and that is to have efficient innings and be able to go deeper in games.”
“It will be Michael King starting on Opening Day and Dylan Cease in the second game. I have plans beyond that, but I’m not going to share them. And they’re still fluid. Nick Pivetta is going to pitch the exhibition on Tuesday. You can do some math from there.”
Shildt discussed Yu Darvish’s locker being cleared out at the Padres’ Peoria, Ariz., Spring Training base:
“He’s gone back to San Diego,” said Shildt. “He’s going to start playing catch over there sometime soon. He’s going to rest, get back home, and enjoy his family. It’s just an early start to getting our group back in San Diego.”
Shildt on the Opening Day roster decisions:
“There has been some conversations, but none that we want to share,” said the manager. “Obviously, there are a lot of moving parts to this. This is as hard a decision-making process that I’ve ever had on the position player side and it’s not even close. This has been a very, very competitive camp.”
“All those guys have played their ways onto a team that has only so many spots. Having to sit down with players and share with them that they’re not going to be part of a group that they’re enjoying competing with and enjoying being in the clubhouse with and looking forward to playing in an amazing place that is Petco Park — it’s a really hard thing to hear for some guys.”
“And we’re in the process of making those decisions. It reminds us that this is a wonderful game and an enjoyable game, but it’s also a business. You have tears and emotions on both sides of it — tears of elation and frustration.”
Shildt on Tirso Ornelas:
“Tirso is a great representation of the organization,” said Shildt. “How he’s been able to continue to develop in the organization and play. To his credit, he got added to the 40-man roster. He comes into open competition. You can’t say ‘You could have done something better.’ He hit, continues to play good defense. He’s a wonderful teammate.”
“He did all the little things we’re asking, the base running … on point, on time, consistency. We told him: ‘You believe you are a Major League player. It starts there. And we believe you are a Major League player. Now go be a Major League player in Triple-A.’ That’s a hard message. But he put himself in a strong spot where we can trust him to come up because he belongs here.”
“Tirso is in a good spot in El Paso to go compete and be ready.”
