Renfroe, Mejía available again for Friars

MILWAUKEE – Right fielder Hunter Renfroe was back in the Padres' lineup Tuesday night against the Brewers, more than a week after he was sidelined by a right ankle sprain.

It was the latest in a series of injuries that Renfroe has worked through during the second half. He was leading the Majors with a home run every 9.7 at-bats through July 6 but, entering Tuesday, had hit one every 38 at-bats since then, with only four total in 152 at-bats. Renfroe had a .169/.260/.291 slash line since the All-Star break.

Renfroe appeared to benefit from the time off. He showed his old power Tuesday by hitting a seventh-inning homer, his 32nd of the season, off Matt Albers in the Padres' 3-1 loss at Miller Park.

"It's been a tougher second half for a guy who was as good as anybody in baseball during the first half," manager Andy Green said. "He was dominating. He's battled through some things, so we thought it best for him to rest for about a week. He did a whole bunch of drills yesterday and moved around really well. He felt strong. It's great to get him back in the lineup."

Renfroe likely will be given the day off on Wednesday and return for the series finale Thursday afternoon at Miller Park in an effort to ease him back into action and help him finish the season on a high note.

"We want to make sure we get him back into the flow the right way and not put him into a bad spot," Green said. "When you look at Hunter, there's been a lot to like this year."

The Padres also welcomed catcher Francisco Mejía back into the mix Tuesday after he missed more than two weeks with a right oblique strain.

The switch-hitting backstop performed well during some rehab appearances with the Padres' instructional league squad and is cleared to hit from both sides of the plate, as well as play behind it.

"He's healthy, he's strong," Green said.

Green expects Mejía to be in the starting lineup Wednesday, then split time down the stretch with Austin Hedges, Austin Allen and recent callup Luis Torrens.

"We have nine games after this series so he's not going to catch seven of nine," Green said. "We've got four catchers here, so he'll get some opportunities."

Myers a late scratch

Outfielder Wil Myers was scratched from the lineup 40 minutes before the first pitch because of right arm soreness. Nick Martini filled his spot both in left field and in the No. 2 spot in the lineup.