News
For Carrillo, a second chance is key
San Diego (50-70) vs. Chicago (60-56), 7:05 p.m. PT
Cesar Carrillo allowed seven runs over 2 1/3 innings in his last start. (Darren Hauck/AP)
By Tim Powers / Special to MLB.com
08/18/09 4:00 AM ET
SAN DIEGO -- Cesar Carrillo has nowhere to go but up in his second career start for the Padres. The former first-round Draft pick's Major League debut was a forgettable one last week in Milwaukee, as he took the loss by allowing eight runs over 2 1/3 innings, including serving up three home runs for the first three hits of the game. Selected out of the University of Florida in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft with the 18th overall pick, Carrillo has overcome adversity before in his career. The 25-year-old right-hander underwent Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery in 2007, but rebounded to get the call up to the Majors after posting solid numbers in both Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A Portland, going 8-6 with a 4.47 ERA in 23 starts for those two clubs. Manager Bud Black indicated that one bad start is far too small of a sample to evaluate Carrillo's big league chops. "[Carrillo] is going to get opportunities," Black said on Monday. "We saw him in Spring Training, we watched his work in the Minor Leagues, and he's going to pitch again tomorrow. It will be the whole body of work that we see over his tenure here that is crucial." Black was non-committal when asked about potential starts for Carrillo beyond Tuesday's, but emphasized that the club is in the process of looking at a variety of young pitchers with eyes toward future seasons. "We've run some starting pitchers out there," Black said. "We're giving guys opportunities. It's critical to a team to have guys that you want in your starting rotation make their starts when you don't have the same depth." However Carrillo fares on Tuesday, he will get a chance to show he can be a part of the Padres' starting rotation somewhere down the road. Pitching matchupSD: RHP Cesar Carrillo (0-1, 30.86 ERA)
Carrillo had a rough go in his Major League debut on Thursday against the Brewers. After working a 1-2-3 first inning, the right-hander -- added to the roster earlier in the day -- allowed a 465-foot home run to Prince Fielder in the second inning, back-to-back walks and a three-run homer to Mike Rivera. In the third inning, Carrillo allowed a two-run homer to his former University of Miami teammate Ryan Braun. He faced 15 batters in 2 1/3 innings, allowing three home runs, two walks and eight runs. CHC: RHP Ryan Dempster (6-6, 4.23 ERA)
Dempster took the loss in his last start against the Phillies. He struck out eight and gave up six runs on eight hits over seven innings. The right-hander gave up two home runs and now has served up 17 for the season, the most since 2002, when he was charged with 28 combined for Florida and Cincinnati. He should be happy to be on the road. In his last four home starts, Dempster is 1-2 with a 6.20 ERA. Tidbits
Sean Gallagher was in the home clubhouse on Monday as the recently acquired starter is set to throw three bullpen sessions as he works his way back to health from a knee injury. After those outings, Gallagher will head to Arizona to make a few rehab starts in hopes of being ready to contribute to the big league club when rosters expand on Sept. 1. ... Edward Mujica rebounded from taking a line drive off the back of his right knee on Sunday, and pitched two-thirds of an inning in Monday's contest. Mujica retired the first two batters he faced before allowing a single. ... In addition to signing its first- , second- and fourth-round Draft picks on Monday, the club announced it had also inked 17th-rounder Jorge Reyes, who played in the 2007 College World Series for Oregon State and was named Most Outstanding Player. Tickets
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• Wednesday: Padres (Mat Latos, 4-2, 4.01) vs. Cubs (Rich Harden, 7-7, 4.30), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Thursday: Padres (Tim Stauffer, 1-5, 3.50) vs. Cardinals (Joel Pineiro, 11-9, 3.25), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Friday: Padres (Clayton Richard, 6-3, 4.66) vs. Cardinals (TBD), 7:05 p.m. PT
Tim Powers is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
