Reiss Knehr dressed slowly after Sunday’s 4-2 loss to the Rockies. He was officially optioned to Triple-A El Paso in the morning, but his bags were packed for Chicago with the rest of the team.
With Mike Clevinger and Adrián Morejón still on the COVID list, the Padres need arms and he’d more than earned a spot on the taxi squad with 4 2/3 shutout innings in relief after MacKenzie Gore’s shortest start of the year in Saturday’s nightcap.
Knehr was among the reinforcements when the Padres learned they’d lose two pitchers to COVID protocols.
He was sporting a 7.94 ERA to start the year at Triple-A El Paso.
“I haven’t been pitching my best down there and I know that,” Knehr said. “Coming up here and doing what I did, just proving to myself that I know I can pitch here and just help this team win as many games as I can.”
The 25-year-old Knehr struck out (20) as many as he walked while throwing 29 innings (4.97 ERA) last year with the Padres. On Saturday, he scattered three hits, struck out three and didn’t walk a soul.
He did not escape without some damage, though: Connor Joe’s 103.5 mph liner struck him in in the ribs.
Knehr stayed in the game and reported to the clubhouse Sunday, no worse for the wear.
“X-rays negative,” he said. “This morning I woke up kind of stiff. Tough sleeping, rolling over, but I feel much better now after some treatment today.
“Just excited to get throwing again.”
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