Brandon Morrow named Padres fifth starter

After today's 8-0 exhibition win, Padres manager Bud Black cleared the air about one of the few mysteries remaining heading into the season. Black announced that Brandon Morrow will step into the fifth spot in the rotation, joining James Shields, Tyson Ross, Andrew Cashner, and Ian Kennedy. Morrow's top competitor for the role, Odrisamer Despaigne, will stay up with the big club and work out of the 'pen.

Despaigne's spring ERA was actually less than half of Morrow's in the exact number of innings, but spring stats are useless, and countless other factors went into play. Perhaps Black and his crew simply thought Despaigne was better suited to take on a relief role than Morrow would be. I for one am interested to see how Despaigne will do, as all 16 of his major league appearances have been starts. He seems to do well one time through the order, so this could be in everyone's best interest. Also, he'll be quite the change of pace from whatever pitcher he relieves.

I could go on, but I just took a couple of corn dogs out of the oven and I'm pretty hungry.

Bud Black has announced @2Morrow23 as the 5th starter in the rotation. Despaigne will move to bullpen role

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 5, 2015