Padres News: San Diego Makes Huge Roster Changes Ahead of Tatis Jr’s Return

Friars called up a catcher and pitcher today

According to former Padres beat writer Bill Center, your San Diego Padres made some moves earlier today as they called up RHP Reiss Knehr and catcher Brett Sullivan. 

The #Padres have recalled C Brett Sullivan and RHP Reiss Knehr from Triple-A El Paso and optioned INF-OF Brandon Dixon and RHP Domingo Tapia to the Chihuahuas.

— Bill Center (@billcenter) April 16, 2023

Catcher Luis Campusano is dealing with a jammed thumb and needs another catcher, so that Sullivan will fill that role. Brandon Dixon and Domingo Tapia have played poorly thus far, so it was easy for the front office to move them down. 

This will be Sullivan's first crack on the Padres roster. He was traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Padres in 2022 but never got a chance to grace the field. His numbers for El Paso have been tremendous as he is slashing .270/.341/.459 with a .800 OPS, one home run, and six RBIs in nine games and 37 ABs for the Chihuahuas. 

As for Knehr, he's been part of the Padres since 2018, when they drafted him with the 591 pick in the 20th round. In his big league career, he is 1-2 with a 4.64 ERA, 30 strikeouts, and a 1.36 WHIP in 17 games and 42.2 innings. 

As we approach the return of superstar Fernando Tatis Jr, we'll see how big of a role these two players make for the Friars.