Padres Fire Manager Bud Black and Pat Murphy Could Be Headed to San Diego

The San Diego Padres fired manager Bud Black earlier today and El Paso Chihuahuas manager Pat Murphy is rumored to be heading to San Diego. The organization has not commented yet as to what role Murphy would have with the Padres should his move to the big leagues be a permanent one.

Black has been managing the Padres since 2007, and he has compiled a record of 649-713. This season, San Diego is 32-33 and in third place in the NL West. The Padres were the most active baseball team in the majors this offseason, acquiring Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, Will Myers, Derek Norris, Will Middlebrooks, James Shields, and Craig Kimbrel. However, the results have not come close to matching the club record 108 million dollar payroll. San Diego hosts Oakland tonight and former Padres outfielder and current bench coach Dave Roberts was expected to serve as the team's manager for the game.

The Chihuahuas are in Albuquerque for a three game road series against the Isotopes. Hitting coach Jody Davis will assume managerial control of the team while Murphy is gone. Tonight's game is a 7:05pm start and Tim Hagerty will call the action on 600 ESPN El Paso.