Blake Tekotte Called Up Again

Outfielder Blake Tekotte returned to the Padres Saturday afternoon in Pittsburgh less than 72 hours after he was optioned back to Double-A San Antonio.

Tekotte was promoted for the third time since May 23 because Chris Denorfia fell victim to the 15-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain.

Tekotte returned to San Antonio Thursday when left-handed reliever Joe Thatcher was activated from the 60-day disabled list.

Tekotte flew to San Antonio Thursday, played a home game for the Missions that night, made the five-hour bus ride the next day to Frisco and played Friday night before learning he was being recalled by the Padres.

“It feels good whenever they call on me,” said Tekotte, who is hitting .298 with 17 homers, 56 RBI and 32 steals for San Antonio this season and .250 in 24 at-bats with the Padres. He had a career-best three-hit, two-steal game for the Padres last Monday night against the Dodgers at Petco Park.

The stock of the 24-year-old Tekotte has climbed this season.

“I like the all-around game,” Padres manager Bud Black said of Tekotte Saturday.

“He’s a solid defender who can run with some pop.

“He projects to have a dependable, solid, all-around game. I think he likes to play. And there was a different look in his eye when he came back last week.”

Tekotte was previously recalled Aug. 1 after Denorfia suffered the hamstring strain and both Denorfia and Will Venable (back spasms) were listed as day-to-day.


(signonsandiego.com)