Today, Yonder Alonso was moved to the 60-day DL with a lower back strain and the Padres needed to make some additions to the team after being swept by the Giants. Last night, we heard that Cody Decker was called up to the Padres after 7 years in the minor leagues. Today, three more players will be joining him on his trip to the Padres including another player being called up to the majors for the first time in their career.
In what has been a long road back to the Padres, Casey Kelly is rejoining the Padres 3 years since his debut. Kelly made 6 starts for the Padres in August and September of 2012 before requiring Tommy John surgery that shut him down for 2013 and nearly all of the 2014 season. This year, Kelly went 2-10 with a 5.16 ERA with the San Antonio Missions and El Paso Chihuahuas. While with the Padres, he sported a 2-3 record and a 6.21 ERA.
Joining Kelly is Robbie Erlin who is returning to San Diego for the first time since last September. In two seasons with the Padres, Erlin has a 7-8 record and a 4.58 ERA. He spent 2015 with the Chihuahuas making 24 starts for a 7-6 record to go along with his 5.60 ERA. Erlin will join Frank Garces and Marc Rzepcynski as the only left handed pitchers for the Padres.
Also, both Kelly and Erlin will get some starts in the lest half of September.
Pat Murphy said Robbie Erlin and Casey Kelly with both get a chance to start. Odrisamer Despaigne back to the bullpen.
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) September 15, 2015
The final addition to the 40-man roster was a pitcher who will be making his major league debut when he enters a game for the Padres.
Jay Jackson, a right handed pitcher signed by the Padres in the offseason, has spent the last 8 years in the minors for 5 different organizations. Drafted by the Cubs in 2008, Jackson spent 5 years in the Cubs organization before being released after Spring Training in 2013. He signed with the Miami Marlins, then elected free agency at the end of the season. He started 2014 with the Pirates organization before being traded to the Brewers organization.
On January 26th of 2015, Jackson signed with the Padres and has spent the season in San Antonio and El Paso before being called up to the majors for the first time in his career. For the Missions and Chihuahuas, Jackson had 54 appearances out of the bullpen and a 3-4 record. He finished the season with a 2.42 ERA and 15 saves. Also of note, 2015 was Jackson's first season in the minors in which he did not make a start. Throughout his career, Jackson was primarily a starter until he reached the Pirates organization where he started only 12 of his 25 appearances.
With these additions, the Padres 40 man roster is full with 35 active players.