PITTSBURGH -- Padres catcher Hector Sanchez underwent concussion protocol testing on Sunday morning after he was hit in the top of helmet by a foul ball during the third inning of the Padres' 5-2 win over the Pirates on Saturday at PNC Park. He left the game on Saturday and was replaced at catcher by Luis Torrens in the fourth.
Sanchez has had seven concussions in his career, so Padres manager Andy Green said he wanted Sanchez to be completely cleared by doctors before he returns behind the plate.
"He feels better, which is an encouraging sign with as much as he's been through," Green said. "I want to find out from the doctors that he's doing well and doing fine, and not having a concussion. It will probably take a little time to determine that.
"He said he's ready to play today, which is always good to hear."
Sanchez has made 15 starts at catcher this season and is hitting .241/.264/.530 with seven home runs in 83 at-bats.
Friedrich makes Lake Elsinore start
Christian Friedrich threw 4 2/3 innings on 61 pitches during his rehab assignment at Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore on Saturday. Friedrich was placed on the 60-day DL in April with a left elbow strain and was shut down for most of July after suffering more soreness.
Reports on the outing were mixed, and Green said the Padres will discuss the next step for the left-hander.
"We will have to evaluate where he is today, how he feels," Green said. "It didn't come across like this glowing, 'I feel great,' but it didn't feel like, 'Hey, I am shutting it back down.' Hopefully we can extend him another outing and keep him going on his current path."