Padres demote LHP JP Sears after shaky team debut

The San Diego Padres optioned recently acquired left-hander JP Sears to Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday, one day after he was roughed up in his team debut.
Sears gave up five runs and 10 hits over five innings in the 6-2 loss to the host Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night. He gave up a homer to Tyler Locklear and also allowed three doubles and multiple hard-hit singles.
Four of the first five Arizona batters reached in the fourth to push two runs across and put runners on the corners. But Sears escaped due to a caught stealing and Locklear’s groundout.
Sears went 7-9 with a 4.95 ERA in 22 starts for the Athletics before being dealt along with star closer Mason Miller to San Diego at Thursday’s trade deadline. The Padres gave up four minor leaguers, including shortstop Leo De Vries, the No. 3 overall prospect in baseball.
Sears, 29, is 29-40 with a 4.53 ERA in 104 appearances (98 starts) over four seasons with the New York Yankees (2022), A’s (2022-25) and Padres.
San Diego recalled right-hander Sean Reynolds from El Paso in a corresponding move.
Reynolds, 27, is 0-1 with a 3.97 ERA in 17 appearances (one start) for San Diego this season.
The Padres also are hopeful of having standout right-hander Michael King (shoulder) back in the rotation by the middle of the month.
King last pitched for the Padres on May 18 but pitched 3 1/3 innings in a rehab start Monday, allowing six runs, four hits (two homers), one walk and one hit batter. He struck out five in a 61-pitch effort for El Paso.
King, 30, was 4-2 with a 2.59 ERA in 10 starts this season before his injury.