C-RHP-OF Christian Bethancourt, 25, is working toward becoming a hybrid player. The Padres announced the idea last year when the backup catcher hit 97-mph in several late-game pitching appearances. He's all for the idea. But the plan to introduce him to the new role in winter ball was set back when the start of the Panamanian Winter League was delayed until January. He has looked sharp in several spring pitching appearances, but his 1.45 ERA was more a result of working against minor leaguers at the end of the game. Bethancourt would be an eighth reliever as well as the second catcher. But if he's a hybrid, the Padres could carry a third catcher.

C/OF Christian Bethancourt threw a bullpen session before the game and the Padres are looking at the possibility of using Bethancourt on both sides of the ball. "We're flirting with the idea of this guy being a very intriguing 25th man who can catch, can play the outfield and can pitch," Green said. "We'll run as far down that road as his arm allows us to." Bethancourt threw 96 mph in a relief appearance in Seattle on May 31.

C Christian Bethancourt was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a left intercostal strain. Bethancourt left the Tuesday game with the injury in the fourth inning. He is not expected to return this season.

C Christian Bethancourt left the game after the third inning because of a strain in his left ribcage. He hurt the intercostal muscle while striking out in his only at-bat. "He's not feeling that great right now," manager Andy Green said. A trip to the disabled list is likely, but rosters can expand on Thursday anyway.

RF Christian Bethancourt was 2-for-3 on Friday with a run scored and a RBI. He has a career .364 batting average (12-for-33) in 11 career games against the Diamondbacks.

C Christian Bethancourt had two doubles in five at-bats Saturday for a career-high three RBIs.

C Christian Bethancourt ended a 0-for-9 drought with an RBI double in the fourth inning on Wednesday in the 8-4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. He added an RBI double in the sixth.

C Christian Bethancourt allowed a single and a walk with a strikeout Monday night as he worked a scoreless inning of relief in a mop-up ninth inning in the Padres 13-4 loss to Miami at Petco Park. It was the second time Bethancourt has appeared as a pitcher. In 1 2/3 scoreless innings, he has allowed a hit, three walks and hit a batter with a strikeout.

DH Christian Bethancourt drove in the Padres first run and singled in each of his first two at-bats Monday. They were the first two hits by a Padres player serving the role of designated hitter this season. Bethancourt went 2-for-4 to match his season-long hitting streak of three games.

C Christian Bethancourt was steady behind the plate in handling four pitchers and also supplied the game's lone run with a towering solo homer in the Padres' 1-0 victory over the Cubs in a doubleheader nightcap. "Bethancourt was unbelievable today behind the dish, the best I've seen him block," Padres manager Andy Green said. "He called a great game and obviously hit the ball out of the stadium. Not a bad day for the kid."

C Christian Bethancourt has homered in two of his last three starts while giving regular Padres C Derek Norris a day off. Bethancourt is 3-for-9 in his last three starts with a double, two homers and three RBIs.

C Christian Bethancourt will make his first start of the season either Sunday in the series finale at Colorado or Monday at Philadelphia. Entering Friday, he has yet to make his 2016 debut.

C Christian Bethancourt was acquired by the Padres from the Braves on Thursday in exchange for RHP Casey Kelly and C Ricardo Rodriguez.Bethancourt, 24, hit .200/.225/.290 with two homers and 12 RBIs in 48 games for Atlanta this year. He was expected to be the team's everyday catcher, but when he failed to hit or provide the defense that was anticipated, Bethancourt was shipped to Triple-A.

Bethancourt had surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee Tuesday, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Bethancourt missed the majority of the final two weeks in September with a lingering issue in this thumb, but it appears as if the catcher may have dealing with more than just that injury. Barring any setbacks, Bethancourt should be ready to begin working out sometime in November --- a good sign considering he will likely compete for the starting catcher job in spring training.

Bethancourt (thumb) isn't in the lineup for Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader with the Cardinals, Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan reports.

Bethancourt hasn't played since Thursday while dealing with the left thumb contusion. It's likely that the Braves will just give Ryan Lavarnway and A.J. Pierzynski the starts behind the plate for the doubleheader, allowing Bethancourt to get an early start on his offseason. He should be over the thumb injury in quick fashion.

Bethancourt (thumb) is not in the lineup Saturday.

Bethancourt tried to play through a thumb injury Thursday, but he was only able to make it through two at-bats before being removed. It's likely the 24-year-old will not return the rest of the season, meaning Ryan Lavarnway will continue to get the starts behind the plate.

Bethancourt (thumb) is not in the lineup Friday.

Bethancourt made it through just two at-bats Thursday before being removed due to what was is assumed to be a reoccurring thumb injury that kept him out of the lineup since Sept. 21. With just more one gaming, it's likely he played the last game of his season Thursday.

Bethancourt (wrist) officially left Thursday's game against the Nationals with a left thumb contusion and is considered day-to-day.

Bethancourt's injury is likely a recurrence of the issue that's kept him sidelined since Sept. 21. With just two games remaining in the 2015 season, it wouldn't be surprising if the young catcher has played his last contest of the campaign.

Bethancourt likely aggravated his wrist injury in Thursday's game against the Nationals, Kevin McAlpin of Sports Radio 680 The Fan reports.

Bethancourt's wrist has been a continual issues, returning Thursday for the first time since jamming reportedly jamming his thumb Sept. 21. Considering there are just two games remaining in the season, it wouldn't be surprising if the young backstop has played his last contest. Ryan Lavarnway replaced him behind the plate Thursday.

Bethancourt (thumb) is in the lineup Thursday.

Bethancourt has been out of the lineup since Sept. 20 with a jammed thumb, but it appears as if he is finally ready to play Thursday when the Braves prepare to take on the Nationals. The 24-year-old will take over behind the plate and hit eighth in the batting order against Stephen Strasburg.