According to Padres’ manager Bud Black, who spoke on Sirius XM Radio Tuesday morning, starting pitcher Ian Kennedy will likely not be traded before Thursday’s non-wavier trade deadline.
Kennedy, who is 8-9, with a 3.66 ERA in 22 starts with the Padres this season, had his name thrown around in trade talks during recent weeks. Kennedy is a former 20-game winner with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2011 and has a career record of 61-49 with a 3.96 ERA.
“I think so, my sense is our ownership & current baseball operations think Ian is a big piece of our club going forward,” said Black on Sirius XM Radio.
The Padres are third in the National League West with a record of 46-59 entering play Tuesday. Kennedy has been dealing with left oblique strain, which caused him to miss his last start on Monday. Black said Kennedy will be throwing a side session on Tuesday and is not concerned about the injury.
The Yankees and Royals are a few of the teams that expressed interest in Kennedy.
The most likely move that will be made by the Padres in the coming days would be trading outfielder Chris Denorfia. Denorfia, who is batting .243 with one home run and 16 RBI in 88 games for the Padres this season, is being targeted by the Mariners and Braves, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.