This article was originally published on www.si.com/mlb/yankees as Padres Demote Former Yankees Pitcher a Week After Trade. The long and winding road is taking former New York Yankees pitcher JP Sears back to the minors. MLB Trade Rumors reports that the San Diego Padres demoted Sears to Triple-A El Paso.

The San Diego Padres made waves at the MLB trade deadline, but they still have one glaring problem that could hold them back.

The Padres announced they’ve optioned JP Sears to Triple-A El Paso. They recalled reliever Sean Reynolds and will go with a nine-man bullpen in the short term. Sears will spend at least 15 days in the minors unless he’s brought up to replace a player going on the injured list.