ATLANTA — Dinelson Lamet finished fourth in National League Cy Young voting in 2020.
Now he is headed to Triple-A.
The Padres right-hander was optioned Friday as the corresponding move to make room for Robinson Cano on the active roster.
"I think there is good in everything that happens," Lamet said. "They have a lot of pitchers, so the timing is good."
Lamet will remain with the team for at least a few days, working with the pitching coaches.
"I think there might be some self-evaluation to happen right there," acting manager Ryan Christenson said. "He's capable of much more than he showed us right now. … It's a good opportunity for him to work on some things and get himself right and then go down and throw a few innings in El Paso and reevaluate and see where he's at and then come back here and help our team."
Lamet has allowed 10 runs (nine earned) and allowed five of nine inherited runners to score in 10 appearances (8 1/3 innings) this season. After having his '20 season ended prematurely due to elbow discomfort, Lamet moved to the bullpen in the middle of last season.
The right-hander has acknowledged he has struggled with some aspects of that transition.
"I need to separate I'm not starting now, I'm a reliever," Lamet said Friday. "I have more work to do."
Gore sticks as sixth
The Padres plan to continue with a six-man rotation, with Blake Snell essentially replacing Nick Martinez.
Mike Clevinger will start Tuesday in Philadelphia with Snell scheduled to make his season debut Wednesday against the Phillies after working back from an adductor (groin) strain. It is possible the Padres push Snell back a day and have MacKenzie Gore start Wednesday. Gore could also start Thursday or, pending how deep the next four starters go and how much the bullpen is needed in that span, Gore could pitch out of the bullpen once.
Gore earned his stay being extended by posting a 2.42 ERA in his first five career starts.
Martinez will work out of the bullpen for at least a time.
"It is what it is," said Martinez, who had a 4.40 ERA in six starts. "It's not ideal. I'll just stay sharp, try to control what I can control."
Health update
— Manager Bob Melvin, as he and many others predicted he would, is aiming to join the team next Friday in San Francisco. The team said Melvin is cancer-free and recovering in San Diego following Wednesday's prostate surgery.
— It is hoped third base coach Matt Williams, who is in the COVID protocols, can rejoin the team in Philadelphia provided he is symptom free and tests negative twice. Williams missed his second game Friday, and first base coach Dave Macias again coached third. Hitting instructor Morgan Burkhart is coaching first base while Williams is out.
