Padres pregame: David Morgan (shoulder) to IL as JP Sears called up for start

Fatigue crept into David Morgan’s right shoulder as he left Coors Field earlier this week. The 25-year-old rookie reliever could not quite shake it, so the Padres have erred on the side of caution and placed him on the 15-day injured list with inflammation, the corresponding move to bringing up left-hander JP Sears for Friday’s 6:40 p.m. start against the Colorado Rockies.

“I think I could throw through it, but with where we’re at the season,” Morgan said, “just trying to make sure I’m good close to the back end of the season.”

The team is equally optimistic that a break from throwing in this first season in the majors will allow Morgan to reset. He will have had two days off when he gets back to throwing on Saturday. The move is backdated to Tuesday (Sept. 9), so he can return midway through the final homestand of the season.

“The strength and all the testing has been positive,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “But it is the longest he’s gone in his professional career and clearly pitching at the highest level and pitching well. But we just looked at it. We went a couple days to stay away from him, but after a while, you can only stay away from guys so much. And so we said, OK, let’s backdate it three days, take the 15 (days) and then get a reset … and get it built back up to be able to compete.”

Added Morgan: “I think that’s really what it is — big picture in mind. Obviously, these games are important, but a big picture in mind for me and the postseason.”

A converted infielder who signed as a pitcher as an undrafted free agent, Morgan thew a career-high 60⅔ innings last year and is up to 59⅓ innings this year, including 45 innings in the majors.

It’s been good work, too. He has 2.80 ERA, 47 strikeouts and a 1.18 WHIP in pushing up a depth chart that has lost Jason Adam to a ruptured quad tendon.

“He’s thrown the ball very well,” Shildt said. “I love the way he competes. He’s going to maintain his aggression. He’s going to challenge the strike zone. He’s got 98 to 99 (mph) with good sink, which can get guys on the ground. The curveball has been really good. Slider’s been a weapon. He’s pitched extremely well for us, and he’s been a silent part of our success, of our not only our bullpen, but ultimately the team.”

Friday’s lineups

Jake Cronenworth will start a third straight game at shortstop and will hit eighth, between first baseman Ryan O’Hearn and catcher Freddy Fermin.

That again pushes Luis Arraez to second base and gives Gavin Sheets the start at DH.

City Connect Friday pic.twitter.com/1kOptDk9iC

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 12, 2025

Manny Machado, who was out for early work on Friday, remains in the lineup despite hitting .188/.248/.289 in 38 games since the trade deadline and going hitless in the first four games of this homestand (0-for-16, 5 Ks).

Here is how the Rockies will line up:

#Rockies at #Padres pic.twitter.com/PA946bPMsp

— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) September 12, 2025

Friday’s pitching matchup

Rockies RHP Tanner Gordon (5-6, 6.60 ERA)

He’s also making a consecutive start against the Padres after allowing six runs on six hits, including three homers, on Sunday at Coors Field. And yet Gordon has a 5.40 ERA in eight home starts and a 9.33 ERA in four road starts this year. Gordon’s only other start against the Padres was six innings of one-run ball last year at Petco Park.

Here is how Gordon has fared against current Padres:

Padres LHP JP Sears (8-10, 5.01 ERA)

He has a 5.52 ERA in three starts (14⅔ IP) in the majors since the trade from Sacramento and a 3.72 ERA in three starts (9⅔ IP) at Triple-A El Paso. Sears has won both his starts against the Rockies in his career, one in 2023 (5 IP, 1 ER) and earlier this season in Denver while still with the Athletics (6⅓ IP, 3 ER).

Here is how Sears has fared against current Rockies: