The Padres have designated 27-year old lefty swinging catcher Kyle Phillips for assignment. Phillips played in 36 games for the Padres this year and he was 13 for 76 (.171 avg, .548 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 2 homers and 10 RBIs. He also played in 50 games in AA+AAA-ball this year in which he was 36 for 152 (.237 avg, .643 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 4 homers and 23 RBIs. The Padres shouldn’t miss Phillips too much going forward.

UPDATE: (9/3/2011) - Kyle Phillips has cleared waivers and he has accepted a outright assignment to AAA.

The Padres have claimed 27-year old lefty swinging outfielder Jeremy Hermida off waivers from the Reds. Hermida played 10 games for the Reds this year and he was 2 for 18 (.111 avg, .389 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 1 homer and 3 RBIs. He also has played in 105 games in AAA-ball in which he was 126 for 395 (.319 avg, .924 OPS) with 67 runs scored, 17 homers, 55 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Hermida has now played in 599 games in his first seven years in the majors and he is 502 for 1,948 (.258 avg, .749 OPS) with 243 runs scored, 64 homers, 242 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. Hermida was once one of the brightest prospects in all of baseball, so he could be a late bloomer. This is a nice low risk/nice reward type of pickup for the Padres who are desperate for hitting.

33-year old righty starting pitcher Aaron Harang had a rough time from 2008-2010 with the Reds. In those three years, he pitched in 78 games (75 starts) in which he was 18-38 with a 4.71 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. The Padres then signed him to a prove it, 1-year deal over the winter and the results have been pretty good. Harang has pitched in 22 games (all starts) for the Padres so far this year and he is 14-3 with a 3.96 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. He has pitched much better at home this year, but most Padres’ pitchers do. I think they would be smart to bring him back in 2012 as long as he isn’t looking to break the bank.

In shortstop Jason Bartlett’s first 7 years in the majors, he hit .281 with a .731 OPS in 721 games. This year though, Bartlett has not produced much with a bat in his hands. Bartlett has played in 112 games for the Padres so far this year and he is 112 for 452 (.248 avg, .618 OPS) with 52 runs scored, 2 homers, 35 RBIs and 22 stolen bases. The Padres are hoping that Bartlett picks up the pace with the bat the rest of the season as they need all the help that they can get.

The Padres have demoted 30-year old righty reliever Pat Neshek to AAA-ball. Neshek pitched in 25 games (0 starts) for the Padres this year and he was 1-1 with a 4.01 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP. His control really did him in for the Padres as he walked 22 batters in only 24 2/3 innings this year. Neshek has pitched in 157 games (0 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 12-7 with a 3.21 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. The Padres will likely bring him back to San Diego before the 2011 season ends.

UPDATE: (9/1/2011) - The Padres have designated Pat Neshek for assignment.

UPDATE: (9/7/2011) - Pat Neshek has accepted an outright assignment to AAA.