The San Diego Padres joined Major League Baseball as an expansion franchise in 1969. There was an expansion draft to select players from other organizations, but teams could protect 40 players — the equivalent of their entire MLB roster plus 15 prospects — and only the National League was involved.

San Diego Padres (38-30, third in the NL West) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (35-34, fourth in the NL West) Phoenix; Saturday, 7:15 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Padres: Ryan Bergert (1-0, 1.26 ERA, 0.98 WHIP,

Not wanting to further tax their overworked bullpen, the Dodgers bring Kiké Hernández in to pitch the final 2 1/3 innings of blowout loss to Padres.

Morejón talked to the Union-Tribune this week about his defection from Cuba, relationship with his family, injuries and adjustments. This interview was translated through Padres interpreter Jorge Merlos. It has been edited for length and clarity. You grew up in Cuba. How did you get your start in baseball?

Four Major League Baseball players were reinstated by the league on Thursday after serving year-long bans for gambling on baseball.

Let's take a look at the series against the Padres and a preview of the Giants, who come to town for three games.

Wearing the No. 51 popularized in San Diego by Padres Hall of Fame reliever Trevor Hoffman, Alpine product Alex Vesia closed out L.A.’s victory with three strikeouts. The save was the left-hander’s 10th of his career and first in San Diego. After the final whiff, the Steele Canyon High School alum screamed several times.