Sean Reynolds returns as JP Sears optioned to Triple-A El Paso

The Padres have optioned left-hander JP Sears to Triple-A El Paso, making room for right-hander Sean Reynolds to buoy a bullpen that has covered 15 innings in four games since the trade deadline.

That includes four innings after Sears was roughed up for five runs on 10 hits, a walk and a hit batter in five innings in taking the loss on Monday in his Padres debut.

Sears cannot return for 15 days, which is when the Padres could entertain using a six-man rotation during a stretch of 13 straight games. They could need a fifth starter again as soon on Sunday at Petco Park against the Red Sox, which could be a spot for right-hander Michael King coming off the injured list.

Left-hander Wandy Peralta threw two innings on Monday and left-hander Yuki Matsui threw one inning.

Reynolds has a 3.97 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 22 ⅔ innings in the majors. He had a 4.41 ERA in 16 ⅓ innings at Triple-A El Paso and has allowed one earned run over his last seven appearances (1.23 ERA).

A nine-man bullpen will help a staff that hasn’t had a starter pitch into the sixth inning since Nick Pivetta completed seven innings on Friday. Randy Vásquez was pulled in the fifth inning on Saturday and was optioned out the next day and Dylan Cease and Sears completed five innings on Sunday and Monday, respectively.

Tuesday’s first pitch is at 6:40 p.m. on Padres.TV.

Both Ryan O’Hearn and Gavin Sheets are out of the lineup as the Padres are using a DH day on Manny Machado and giving Jose Iglesias the start at third base.

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— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 5, 2025

Left fielder Ramón Laureano, who is hitting .313/.313/.625 in four games as a Padre, is the only newcomer to start every game since the trade deadline.

Catcher Elias Díaz is behind the plate, pushing Freddy Fermin to the bench for the first time since Friday.

Here is how the Diamondbacks will lineup for Game 2:

Tonight’s plans.

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— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 5, 2025

Tuesday’s pitching matchup

Padres RHP Yu Darvish (1-3, 6.46 ERA)

He struck out seven over seven shutout innings in his first win of the season last week against the Mets. He allowed just two hits and did not walk a batter. Darvish threw just 76 pitches in the start, just his fifth since coming off the injured list. Darvish allowed two runs in 3⅔ innings in a loss to Arizona last month.

Here is how Darvish has fared against current D-backs:

D-backs RHP Ryne Nelson (6-3, 3.20 ERA)

He has a 1.95 ERA over his last nine starts, leading Arizona to seven wins in that stretch. That includes allowing an unearned run over five innings in a no-decision against the Padres in mid-June. Nelson has a 5.04 ERA over 48⅓ career innings against the Padres.

Here is how Nelson has fared against current Padres: