The San Diego Padres placed starting pitcher Nestor Cortes on the 15-day injured list Friday with left biceps tendonitis, according to San Diego Union-Tribune’s Jeff Sanders.
The team’s recalling right-handed pitcher Ron Marinaccio from Triple-A El Paso as the corresponding move.
Cortes lasted just 2.1 innings in Wednesday’s start against Baltimore, getting tagged for six runs on seven hits. Four of those hits left the yard, and he walked three batters on top of that.
It’s been a rough stretch since the Padres acquired him at the trade deadline. San Diego sent outfield prospect Brandon Lockridge to Milwaukee for Cortes, shortstop prospect Jorge Quintana and cash.
We have recalled RHP Ron Marinaccio from Triple-A El Paso and placed LHP Nestor Cortes on the 15-Day IL with left biceps tendonitis, retroactive to 9/4.
The results haven’t been pretty in six starts covering 26.1 innings. Cortes is carrying a 5.47 ERA and a WHIP north of 1.5 with the Padres. His one standout performance came against the Dodgers, when he tossed six scoreless frames with three strikeouts.
Marinaccio brings three years of big league experience from his time with the Yankees. He’s posted a 5.05 ERA in 46.1 innings at El Paso this season, but he’s been solid in limited major league action – 4.2 scoreless innings across three appearances.
The way it looks, this is just the first move. The Padres are expected to recall starting pitcher Randy Vásquez tomorrow, who says he’s been told he’s starting Saturday’s game.
That timing makes sense with the Padres kicking off a weekend series Friday night. They’ll need fresh arms for what could be a pivotal stretch as they push toward the postseason.
