Jesus

Guzman

It’s probably safe to call him day-to-day right now. Kyle Blanks will make the start at first base Monday while Aaron Cunningham will play left field.

Guzman was scratched Friday for the third time in four games due to a sore neck. He’s been surprisingly productive for the Pads, batting .313/.369/.479 with five homers over 74 games.

Alonso’s chief competition should come from Jesus Guzman. The reality, though, is that it would be very surprising if Alonso isn’t at first base on Opening Day. Black added that if the youngster does win the job, he’ll probably bat fifth or sixth in the lineup. Playing in Petco and having a questionable power ceiling, Alonso isn’t a terribly exciting fantasy prospect for 2012.

That’s some pretty lousy timing in the wake of Carlos Quentin’s knee surgery earlier this week. But assuming the issue is minor, Blanks remains a good bet to make the Opening Day roster and share playing time with Jesus Guzman in left field.

Everyone knows Guzman can hit lefties, and he more than held his own against righties as well last season. The door is again open for him to start for the Padres with Carlos Quentin down, though it’ll probably be just a temporary assignment. Until Guzman has a position to call his own, his fantasy value figures to be pretty limited.

He was sidelined Tuesday after getting two teeth extracted. In five plate appearances as a pinch-hitter this season, Guzman is now 3-for-4 with a walk.

Ouch. Guzman, who is batting only .200/.259/.240 with no homers in the early going, should be ready to play shortly.

Blanks hasn’t played since Sunday due to a sore left shoulder, but it’s apparently not serious. The 25-year-old is expected to share playing time with Jesus Guzman in left field while Carlos Quentin is on the mend following knee surgery.

Yes, the Padres’ “cleanup hitter” did in fact bunt into a triple play. With the game tied 4-4, Yonder Alonso singled to begin the ninth before Chase Headley drew a walk. But then in what was absurdly probably actually the right decision, the Pads elected to have their .162/.225/.216 hitting No. 4 hitter bunt. Guzman’s attempt at a sacrifice bounced right in front of Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis, however, who was able to begin one of the rarest, but technically conventional, triple plays you’ll ever see. That being said, the play would not have been executed had there not been confusion about whether the ball was fair or foul. Regardless, Guzman’s time in the four-hole is almost certainly near an end.

Guzman is 4-for-7 in his last three games, raising his average from .206 to .240. He’s been limited to playing against left-handers lately, but he could start seeing regular time if he gets hot.