I have a really tough time finding any reason that justifies sending him down.
look at what the Padres did with CJ Abrams, a SS by trade, to start the season. He was hitting so well in spring training they decided that getting his bat in the lineup, regardless of position, gave them the best opportunity to win.
He played SS, LF, RF, and 2nd.
Tatis comes back, clearly short isn't an option. Oh same problem with the Twins .. Correa comes back, short isn't an option.
This situation is no different. Abrams was coming off a major knee injury as well and if he was able to prove he could hit at the MLB level he'd still be up in San Diego because that helped the team.
Royce Lewis on the other did prove he can hit MLB level pitching.
I really do not understand this whole argument for getting him reps at SS just for defensive development. If that's the logic we want go by, then don't even bother bringing up the rest of the season.
He clearly is athletic enough to play any of the 3 outfield positions. He has and can slide 15 feet over to 3rd, especially for a SS with his arm and the range + ability to make throws charging in (we saw it plenty in the 11 games he played) .. It's not like were throwing a fielder of Luis Arraez's caliber over there. (arod, hanley ramirez, machado, etc all did it midseason).
Nick Gordon - 259 / 292 / 309
Gio Urshela - 226 / 280 / 330
Royce Lewis - 308 / 325 / 564 ... (top prospect, future cornerstone)
Worried defensively?
Arraez played 1st, 3rd, and LF in MLB with less than 10 games played in minors at any.
Gordon played ZERO in the OF before being thrown out there.
What in the world are we doing .. Your in 1st place, if he gives you the best opportunity to win, there's no reason to have him play in AAA getting reps shagging balls in left or taking grounders at 3rd.