Padres Manager Reveals Why He Isn't Platooning Left-Handed Slugger

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt believes that one of the team's top left-handed hitters deserves a chance to face left-handed pitching this season to determine if he can handle additional, unfavorable at-bats.

The hitter in question is Gavin Sheets, who had made only one start against a left-handed pitcher this year entering this week for the Padres. However, Shildt gave Sheets his second start of the year against a Los Angeles Angels lefty on Monday.

“In Gavin’s situation, we observed in spring training that he was a guy that demonstrated he could hit period, and hit lefties included, and has done that this year,” Shildt said, via Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union Tribune.

“He’s had good at bats against lefties and has earned the opportunity to get in there today and go compete.”

During his career in the majors, Sheets slashed .171/.218/.243 against lefties and .246/.311/.415 against righties.

His figures this year against lefties have improved compared to his career numbers, batting .200/.238/.250 in just 21 plate appearances.