SAN DIEGO -- In a somewhat surprising roster move, the Padres optioned slumping third baseman Ryan Schimpf to Triple-A El Paso on Friday, recalling right-hander Jose Valdez to help fill out a depleted bullpen.
Schimpf's 14 homers are the most by a Padre this season, but he had struggled mightily of late, with eight hits, six walks and 28 strikeouts in his last 65 plate appearances. On the season, Schimpf is batting just .158/.284/.424.
Despite his poor batting average, Schimpf was one of the most productive Padres during the second half last season -- largely because of his power and his ability to take walks.