Padres call up Kyle Blanks and designate Xavier Nady for assignment

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego,CA- The San Diego Padres have called up 1B/OF Kyle Blanks and designated 1B/OF Xavier Nady for assignment. With the Padres offense struggling mightily at the plate and Chase Headley and Carlos Quentin still a week away from returning, the Padres hope the addition of Kyle Blanks to the lineup will give them the spark this offense desperately needs.

Nady had a solid spring for the Padres, beating out Kyle Blanks for the Padres final roster spot. Nady was only batting .135 on the season for the Padres, but did lead the team in homeruns with three on the season. Which in no offense to Xavier Nady, the fact that your home run leader is being sent down to the minors is a perfect example of how pathetic the offense has been this season.

The Padres are wasting no time utilizing Kyle Blanks in the lineup, as he will start at first base tonight and bat sixth against the Royals in game one of the three game series.  Blanks was batting .265 with nine home runs in Triple-A El Paso. Blanks hit .243 with eight home runs and 35 RBI’s last season for the Padres before his season was once again derailed due to injury. The Padres have always viewed Kyle Blanks as one of their more talented offensive prospects and when healthy has produced at the major league level.

Expect to see Kyle Blanks primarily at First Base, as Yonder Alonso is just not producing at all at the plate. Blanks may also see some time in Left Field with along with Outfielder Seth Smith, until Carlos Quentin returns from the disabled list.