With rookie shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. expected to miss the rest of the season due to a stress reaction in his lower back, the Padres will try to make the most of an opportunity to see whether Ty France can play a suitable second base.

The San Diego State alum was recalled Friday from Triple-A El Paso and in the starting lineup at second base and batting seventh in Friday’s series opener against the Phillies.

“We feel confident … Ty is going to be just fine (at second),” manager Andy Green said. “And this gives us (an idea whether) Ty is more than a corner infield backup going into 2020.”

As he did Wednesday, Luis Urias took Tatis’ spot at shortstop. This time, Urias also batted in Tatis’ spot atop the order and went 0-for-4. France was 0-for-3 batting seventh.


France, who was batting .399 with 27 home runs in Triple-A, started 25 games at third base for the Padres between late April and early June. Given that their incumbent third baseman, Manny Machado, is in the first season of a 10-year, $300 million contract, the Padres have experimented with the 25-year-old France at other positions. He started at second base in eight of his past 10 games in Triple-A.

“It’s a good feeling,” France said of the Padres trying to find a place for him. “It means they want me. My bat has been my main tool my whole career. The more positions I can learn, the better.”

France acknowledged he is still adjusting to new positioning, different responsibilities on relays from the outfield and the need for constant in-game communication with the shortstop.

“It’s made the game more fun, learning a new position,” he said. “Still getting used to all the thinking that is involved with it. … Each game, it has definitely gotten easier. Hopefully, second base starts to feel like home.”


Entering Friday, Urias, a natural second baseman, was 13-for-38 in his past 12 starts and had eight RBIs in his past five games. He was not in the majors the first time France was up.

“We like Luis Urias at short — a lot,” Green said.

Jankowski up, Kinsler to DL

Ian Kinsler’s time with the Padres could be finished.

The 37-year-old second baseman has a disc herniation that could require surgery. He was placed on the 10-day injured list and will miss the rest of the season.


Travis Jankowski was recalled from Triple-A to take Kinsler’s spot on the 25-man roster.

Kinsler signed a two-year, $8 million contract in November. But after starting 22 of the Padres’ first 29 games, he first was relegated to a platoon role and since Urias’ recall July 20 has been almost exclusively a pinch-hitter.

Kinsler did pitch a scoreless ninth inning and then homer Monday for his 1,999th career hit.

The Padres value the 14-year veteran’s contribution mentoring players. But it is difficult to envision a spot for him in 2019, given his .217/.278/.368 hitting line and the Padres’ plethora of young players.


Kinsler’s injury opened the path for Jankowski to resume his big-league career after fracturing his wrist in early March diving for a ball during a spring training game.

Jankowski’s bone did not heal as quickly as expected, and he went 14 weeks without being able to swing full speed.

“That was the toughest thing, the time it took waiting,” he said.

The Padres’ best defensive outfielder, the 28-year-old Jankowski has hit .291 with a .384 on-base percentage for Triple-A. He hit .333/.404 over his past 99 plate appearances for El Paso. The left-handed hitter will likely see the bulk of his action off the bench, as he did in grounding out to second base as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning Friday, though he will get some starts against right-handers.


Renfroe out again

Josh Naylor started in right field as Hunter Renfroe sat for the second time in four games, even after Thursday’s off day.

“Wanted to give him two days here,” Green said. “He’s been so good for us all season. He’s run through a little bit of a slower stretch the last few weeks. Sometimes that off day coupled with a day off gets guys going again.”

Renfroe, the team’s leader with 31 home runs, had started 23 of 24 games before sitting Monday against Tampa Bay. He is 14-for-74 (.189) with three homers and 29 strikeouts over his past 21 games.

Naylor went 3-for-4 with a double and is 11-for-36 with three doubled, three homers and four walks since being called up Aug. 1.


Renfroe’s defense (he leads all outfielders with 23 defensive runs saved) was missed on at least two plays, including in the second inning on what ended up being an RBI single by Cesar Hernandez that bounced in front of a sliding Naylor.