In the Padres’ 5-4 loss to the Kansas City Royals on May 16, right-handed pitcher Seth Lugo pitched just two innings, exiting with what manager Bob Melvin described as a calf strain after running to cover first base on the final out of the second inning.

Now he’s heading to the 15-day injured list, retroactive to May 16. The earliest he can return to the rotation will be June 1.

Before allowing a five-run second, Lugo owned a 3.10 ERA that ballooned to 4.10 in his final inning before suffering the injury.

23-year-old southpaw Ryan Weathers will be called up in his place, presumably taking Lugo’s spot in the starting rotation, which comes again on Tuesday, May 23, in the nation’s capital against the Washington Nationals.

Through six appearances and four starts, Weathers boasts a 3.42 ERA in 23-⅔ innings. Weathers has a 5.3 strikeouts-per-nine rate but also a 27.9% hard-hit rate, well below the league average in the top 8% of the league, per Baseball Savant.

Weathers made his last start on May 14 before being optioned right back to Triple-A, his second of five options allowed this season before being placed on waivers. He allowed four runs in 5-⅔ innings against the Dodgers in a 4-0 loss.

OTHER INJURY UPDATES:

• Outfielder David Dahl was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Thursday. He suffered a right quad strain during outfield warmups in Atlanta during their April 6-9 series. During his five-game rehab assignment, he hit .269 with a .719 OPS, hitting one home run and batting in four runs.

Right-handed reliever Nabil Crismatt has been added to the Triple-A El Paso roster on a rehab assignment and is expected to make his first rehab appearance soon.

Left-handed reliever Jose Castillo began a rehab assignment on May 9 with Triple-A El Paso. He has three strikeouts in three innings through his first four outings on May 9, 12, 14, and 17. He suffered a left shoulder strain during spring training. There is no set timeline for his return.