Padres pregame: Swelling for Ha-Seong Kim; Grisham drops down to 7th

Ha-seong Kim exited Monday’s game after taking a ball off the index finger on his throwing hand. X-rays taken after the game were negative, but Padres manager Jayce Tingler said Tuesday afternoon that Kim was experiencing “a little bit of swelling.”

Kim hit on the field in early work but was not in the lineup against the left-handed Clayton Kershaw as he was on Monday against the left-handed Julio Urias.

“He did some treatment, feels much better than he did (Monday) night,” Tingler said. “But just very little noticeable swelling right in the middle of that finger, but everything else was very encouraging.”

Said Kim through interpreter Leo Bae: “I feel fine, but it’s up to the training staff, and obviously, Tingler. But I’m good to go. I feel fine.”

Kim was 0-for-2 with a walk before exiting a half-inning after Will Smith’s one-hopper to second caught his finger. Eric Hosmer pinch-hit for him and will be in the starting lineup at first base on Monday, pushing Jake Cronenworth back to second base.

Cronenworth will hit third between Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, Wil Myers will bat fifth, Hosmer sixth and Trent Grisham will bat seventh for the first time this season and just the fifth time in his career.

Grisham is hitting just .121/.211/.333 in 10 games since his return from the injured list and just .231/.362/.462 against left-handed pitching this year.

As for the Dodgers, they are welcoming Max Muncy back into the lineup for the first time since a right oblique strain knocked him out of the lineup June 11.

The left-handed-hitting Muncy, who will play second base in a righty-heavy lineup that will feature Albert Pujols at first base, is hitting .266/.418/.528 with 14 homers and 33 RBIs this season.

The expectation is that Cody Bellinger returns Wednesday from his hamstring injury.

Injuries have limited Bellinger to just 16 games this year (.226/.324/.323).

Today’s pitching matchup

Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw (8-6, 3.36 ERA)

He’s struck out nine batters in three straight starts (3.50 ERA). He is 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA and a .156/.208/.356 batting line in two starts this year against the Padres. He has 15 strikeouts in 13 innings this year against San Diego.

Here is how the Padres have fared in two games this year against Kershaw:

The Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw vs. the Padres in 2021

(Baseball-reference.com)

Padres LHP Blake Snell (2-3, 5.72 ERA)

Snell tied a season-high with seven runs allowed in 3 1/3 innings in a loss last week at Colorado. He struck out just one batter in that game. The Padres are 5-9 in Snell’s starts. He has a 3.48 ERA in 10 1/3 innings in his two Dodgers starts this year.

Here is how the Dodgers have fared in their two games this year against Snell:

The Padres’ Blake Snell vs. the Dodgers in 2021

(Baseball-reference.com)