A.J. Preller got his man.
With Jayce Tingler, Preller will make his stand.
That’s the reality for the Padres, their general manager and the 21st man to sit in the dugout as their manager.
The team on Thursday tabbed the 38-year-old Tingler to replace Andy Green, who was fired on Sept. 21 near the end of his fourth season.
Tingler is the 16th manager hired to begin a season as Padres manager. Five others have served at least one game solely as interim manager.
Truth is, Preller essentially tapped Tingler long ago.