Alek Jacob saved the bullpen with three innings on Monday.
His reward?
A ticket back to Triple-A El Paso.
The Padres have optioned the 28-year-old reliever to the minors to make room for right-hander Jhony Brito, who is expected to be available in some capacity behind starter Germán Márquez.
Tuesday’s first pitch is at 6:40 p.m. (Padres.TV).
The three innings that Jacob threw on Monday were two outs shy of his career high as a pro and six pitches shy of his most in the majors.
Jacob allowed a run on two hits. He struck out three. He has a 5.40 ERA in five innings this year in the majors and a 3.71 ERA in 34 innings with El Paso.
Tuesday marked the third time that Jacob has been optioned since opening day. Players can be optioned five times in-season.
“Honestly, it’s a tough conversation to have with somebody who did so well for us last night and basically does everything that organization ever asked him to do,” Padres manager Craig Stammen said. “You know, the rules of baseball are set up and the way that pitching has changed, you kind of use guys and send them down and bring somebody else up, and he was just caught in that situation last night, but we’ll see him again.
“He’s a major league pitcher. He’s part of our team. He’s just in El Paso right now.”
As for Tuesday’s game, the Padres announced that Márquez would start and Stammen said how long he goes against the Diamondbacks would be performance-based. Whether or not they go to Brito in Tuesday’s game will depend on how the game unfolds.
Jake Cronenworth will play first base for the first time this season—if he feels up to it. He remains in the lineup after taking a ball just below the nose during batting practice.
Jake Cronenworth took a grounder off the face during BP. Hit him below the nose.
He is being evaluated. As of now, he remains in lineup.
But … wow.
— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) July 7, 2026
If Cronenworth — who just got back from the concussion list last week — stays at first base, Sung-Mun Song will get the start at second base, Gavin Sheets will serve as the DH and Samad Taylor will start in left field.
Márquez on the mound. pic.twitter.com/zIXnIHsKEU
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 7, 2026
Here is how the D-backs will line up for Game 2:
Another one in the sun 🏝️
Take 50% off https://t.co/epBmrbYHsx this week! pic.twitter.com/wcW8VkjbPg
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 7, 2026
Tuesday’s pitching matchup
D-backs RHP Zac Gallen (3-8, 6.36 ERA)
The 30-year-old veteran has just three quality starts in 18 starts this year and has an 11.02 ERA over his last three starts. Gallen has a 3.38 ERA in 16 career starts against the Padres. He turned in three scoreless innings in a start earlier this year against the Padres before a comebacker off his shoulder knocked him from the game.
Here’s how Gallen has fared against current Padres:
Padres RHP Germán Márquez (3-2, 5.79 ERA)
He’s starting the game after pitching in relief (3 IP, 2 ER) in his last appearance. RHP Jhony Brito is expected to pitch in some capacity in what will be his first appearance in the majors since 2024. Brito had an 0.96 ERA in four starts (18⅔ IP) at Triple-A El Paso. Brito missed all of last year following an internal brace to repair a torn UCL and surgery on his flexor.
Here is how Brito has fared against current D-backs:
And here is how Marquez has fared against current D-backs:
