{"id":389905,"date":"2026-07-08T00:15:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T00:15:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/389905\/"},"modified":"2026-07-08T00:15:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T00:15:09","slug":"padres-pregame-alek-jacob-optioned-to-make-room-for-jhony-brito-jake-cronenworth-at-first-base","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/389905\/","title":{"rendered":"Padres pregame: Alek Jacob optioned to make room for Jhony Brito; Jake Cronenworth at first base"},"content":{"rendered":"

Alek Jacob saved the bullpen with three innings on Monday.<\/p>\n

His reward?<\/p>\n

A ticket back to Triple-A El Paso.<\/p>\n

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 Germ\u00e1n M\u00e1rquez.<\/p>\n

Tuesday\u2019s first pitch is at 6:40 p.m. (Padres.TV).<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Tuesday marked the third time that Jacob has been optioned since opening day. Players can be optioned five times in-season.<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, it\u2019s 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,\u201d Padres manager Craig Stammen said. \u201cYou 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\u2019ll see him again.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a major league pitcher. He\u2019s part of our team. He\u2019s just in El Paso right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for Tuesday\u2019s game, the Padres announced that M\u00e1rquez 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\u2019s game will depend on how the game unfolds.<\/p>\n

Jake Cronenworth will play first base for the first time this season\u2014if he feels up to it. He remains in the lineup after taking a ball just below the nose during batting practice.<\/p>\n

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 \u2026 wow.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) July 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

If Cronenworth \u2014 who just got back from the concussion list last week \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

M\u00e1rquez on the mound. pic.twitter.com\/zIXnIHsKEU<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Here is how the D-backs will line up for Game 2:<\/p>\n

Another one in the sun \ud83c\udfdd\ufe0f<\/p>\n

Take 50% off https:\/\/t.co\/epBmrbYHsx<\/a> this week! pic.twitter.com\/wcW8VkjbPg<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tuesday\u2019s pitching matchup<\/p>\n

D-backs RHP Zac Gallen (3-8, 6.36 ERA)<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how Gallen has fared against current Padres:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Padres RHP Germ\u00e1n M\u00e1rquez (3-2, 5.79 ERA)<\/p>\n

He\u2019s starting the game after pitching in relief (3 IP, 2 ER) in his last appearance.\u00a0RHP Jhony Brito is expected to pitch in some capacity<\/a> in what will be his first appearance in the majors since 2024. Brito had an 0.96 ERA in four starts (18\u2154 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.<\/p>\n

Here is how Brito has fared against current D-backs:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

And here is how Marquez has fared against current D-backs:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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