Padres search for offense but not from Luis Campusano

SAN DIEGO-- As the San Diego Padres look for consistency from their offense and for Fernando Tatís to snap back from the worst offensive month of his career to his All-Star form, it's been made abundantly clear that production from their catching position isn't a priority.

Elías Díaz and Martín Maldonado have shared those duties, combining for a dreadful slash line of .195/.241/.289.

Padres manager Mike Shildt was asked about the role of Luis Campusano, who was once considered San Diego's catcher of the future. Campusano, who was slashing .322/.445/.598 with six home runs and 17 RBI when he was recalled from El Paso on May 3rd, hasn't appeared in a game since May 31st. And if he does get in a game, it won't be behind the plate.

"Campy, I've talked to him about it," said Shildt. "He understands it, doesn't have to probably love it, but he's been great. The role is basically with where we're at, the way this club is set up with Luis (Arraez) being banged up a little but him being able to DH, (Gavin) Sheetsy being the guy to DH'ing and having an .800 or so OPS. Then when you get other guys that you kind of rotate, get Iglesias in there, you get Manny or guys like that off their feet, it occupies that spot. And coupled with the fact that our pitchers deserve all the credit but our catchers have done a good job sheparding our pitchers and I really  like what we have going with Maldy and Diaz behind the plate. All those factors don't create as many opportunities for Campy."

Notable
Shildt says outfielder Jason Heyward will head to El Paso for a rehab assignment on Friday. Heyward was placed on the injured list on May 25th with a left oblique strain.

Rivalry, what rivalry
Shildt and several Padres players may claim that the Dodgers series is just another series, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and the 45, 678 fans that showed up on Monday night to Petco Park, beg to differ. 

"I think the familiarity of the core from both sides for the most part remaining intact adds to the flavor," Roberts said. "I think it's become a rivalry because the stakes have been higher which we've seen in the last few years."

The Padres stunned the Dodgers in the 2022 NL Division series with Los Angeles  returning the favor in 2024, en route to their first full-season World Series since 1988. 

Mookie Betts said the intensity of the early matchups last season left the Dodgers drained.

"We know each other so well and we've had so many meetings, it's just two really good ballclubs matched up against each other. We were dead last year. Like after the series here we were dead tired mentally and we really can't afford that because we have games right after It's just one of those things where you have to get up for the rivalry and understand this is the middle of the season as well."