Chicken Friars » Brad Boxberger

Spring Training Position Battles: Relief Pitching

Robert Moreno — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:15:52 +0000

In the last installment of the Spring Training Position Battles series I will feature the relief corp. In this series, we took an in depth look at some of the positions that are up for grabs. We will continue to analyze candidates at that position and track each player’s progress throughout the spring.

Aug 6, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Huston Street (16) wets his fingers during the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Situation: Last year’s bullpen wasn’t as solid as it had been in years past, but it was good enough to have the ninth best bullpen ERA in the Major Leagues.

The bullpen was a work in progress, as top relief prospects Nick Vincent, Tommy Layne, Brad Boxberger and Miles Mikolas made their Big League debuts.

Joe Thatcher, Luke Gregerson and Huston Street added much needed veteran experience for the younger guys. With a year of experience under their belt, I expect the bullpen to be a much better group this year.

New Additions: Fautino De Los Santos is the newest addition to the relief squad. The Padres plucked the Dominican right-hander off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers to add depth at the position.

Tyson Ross is more of a starter than a reliever, but if he does not make the starting rotation, he could find his way into the bullpen.

Jason Ray, Daniel Stange and Jerry Sullivan all signed Minor League contracts

Re-signed: The Padres avoided arbitration with setup man Luke Gregerson by signing him to a one-year, $3.2 million contract for the 2013 season.

Positional Outlook: As it stands right now, Huston Street is the club’s closer, with Gregerson and Dale Thayer serving as setup men.

The left-handed specialists are Thatcher and Layne. Brad Brach could serve in a dual role as a long reliever and a setup man. I believe there is room for one more in the bullpen, and that spot is up for grabs.

The four leading candidates for that final bullpen slot are Mikolas, Ross, Anthony Bass and Andrew Cashner.

I would like to see Mikolas or Bass get the last spot with Ross or Cashner slotted in the rotation.

This is the last of the Spring Training Position Battles. Hope you enjoyed the series. Let us know in the comment box below who you would like to see win the final spot in the bullpen.

Padres DFA Ohlendorf, Rodriguez; Add Solis

Kevin Charity — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 05:06:43 +0000

The Padres made a flurry of roster moves before Tuesday night’s game against Los Angeles. San Diego designated pitcher Ross Ohlendorf and catcher Eddy Rodriguez for assignment.

Ohlendorf was optioned to AAA Tucson, after a rough start on August 17th. For the season, Ohlendorf went 4-4, with a 7.77 ERA in 13 games(9 starts). The Padres signed Ohlendorf as a free agent, after he was released by the Red Sox. He turned 30 in August.

Aug 17, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Ross Ohlendorf (59) wipes his face after being taken out of the game during the third inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Rodriguez was a great story, summoned to San Diego, via Lake Elsinore. Rodriguez hit a homer in his first ML start. Rodriguez had one hit in seven plate appearances. He hit .217 for Lake Elsinore and Tucson this season.

The Padres added catcher Ali Solis to the 40-man roster, and he joined the team in Los Angeles. Solis, who is 24, hails from Mexicali, and was a Texas League All-Star for the Missions this year. For the year, he posted a triple-slash line of .283/.307/.419, with 6 HR’s and 40 RBI’s. Solis is well-regarded in the organization for his ability to handle a pitching staff.

The Padres also recalled infielder Andy Parrino, as well as pitcher Brad Boxberger from AAA. Parrino hit .174 in limited action earlier in the season. Boxberger will be making his 4th trip to San Diego. He has posted a 3.52 ERA in 15 1/3 innings for the Padres this year.

Marquis Is Latest Padres Pitcher To Hit The Disabled List

Kevin Charity — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 03:41:23 +0000

This is starting to get ridiculous. The Padres will place pitcher Jason Marquis on the disabled list with a fractured bone in his non-throwing hand. Marquis broke the bone on a line-drive that grazed his hand in his last start. Marquis went on to pitch 5 1/3 more innings in the game.

August 21, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Jason Marquis (38) sits behind the mound after being hit in his glove by a line drive during the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

Marquis has been a tremendous pickup for the Padres, after he was released by the Minnesota Twins. In 15 starts for the Padres, Marquis has a 6-7 record, with a 4.04 ERA. Marquis can become a free agent after the season.

It is not certain if Marquis will pitch again for the Padres, but it would not be a surprise to see the Padres attempt to bring him back for 2013.

In a corresponding move, the Padres recalled Brad Boxberger from AAA Tucson.