News
Padres call up a pair from San Antonio
Frieri, Durango in uniform for Monday's opener vs. D-backs
By Corey Brock / MLB.com
09/14/09 9:20 PM ET
SAN DIEGO -- Pitcher Ernesto Frieri and outfielder Luis Durango never imagined they would be dressing in the Padres clubhouse on Monday, as each figured they would be well on their way to their native countries, Columbia and Panama, by now.But when the season ended on Saturday in the Texas League playoffs for Double-A San Antonio, Missions manager Terry Kennedy informed Frieri and Durango they would be heading to San Diego instead of home for the winter.
"We lost the first series and after that, TK said I had a really good year and everyone is proud of you," Frieri said. "And he said, 'I've got good news, you are going to San Diego.' I was surprised."
Frieri and Durango, who were already on the 40-man roster, were dressed for Monday's game against the D-backs at PETCO Park. When either player will get in a game remains to be seen, not that they mind.
Frieri, 24, recently completed his second season as a starting pitcher (he was a reliever), going 10-9 with a 3.59 ERA in 27 starts for the Missions. He held opponents to a .237 batting average.
"He'll pitch out of the bullpen as reinforcement," Padres manager Bud Black said. "... We'll see how the rest of the season goes if we'll slide him in for a spot start or have him pitch out of the bullpen."
Durango, 23, hit .281 with a .390 on-base percentage and 44 stolen bases (he was caught 17 times) in 129 games for the Missions, playing center field for the first time.
"Luis gives us an option on the bench -- pinch-hit, pinch-run and he can play three outfield positions," Black said.
Black said he would confer Tuesday with Kennedy, who will join the Padres staff for the rest of the regular season, for more information on Frieri and Durango.
The Padres currently have 32 players on their active roster. Major League teams were allowed to expand their rosters from 25 to 40 players on Sept. 1.
Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
