Padres demote scuffling 2B Jedd Gyorko to Triple-A

ATLANTA -- The San Diego Padres demoted former starting second baseman Jedd Gyorko to Triple-A El Paso and recalled right-hander Nick Vincent before Wednesday night's game against the Atlanta Braves.

Gyorko was hitting .210 with two homers and 11 RBI and lost his starting job to Cory Spangenberg. Gyorko led the team with 23 homers and 63 RBI as a rookie in 2013 but has struggled at the plate the last two years. He hit .210 in 2014, when he had 10 homers with 51 RBI.

Manager Bud Black said Gyorko remains part of the Padres' plans.

"We thought it was the right thing to do," Black said. "It's difficult. You're talking about a guy that we feel is a big part of our club not only now but in the future."

Black said the 26-year-old needs to play every day at El Paso rather than sit on San Diego's bench.

"We thought it was in the best interest of Jedd and in the best interest of the Padres moving forward to get him down to El Paso for regular at-bats, regular playing time," Black said. "I think Jed understands why we're doing this. He knows he's got to get back on track."

Vincent will be on his third stint with the Padres. He is 0-1 with a 6.14 ERA in seven games.