San Diego Padres starting pitcher Eric Stults was designated for assignment, the team announced Monday, meaning it has 10 days to either trade, release or place him on waivers.
Stults made 32 starts last season — second most on the team — and went 8-17 with a 4.30 earned-run average. In his three seasons with the Padres Stults accumulated 79 starts and went 27-33 with a 3.87 ERA.
“It’s tough,” Stults told MLB.com. “I really enjoyed every moment I had with the Padres. The Padres were something special; they gave me an opportunity to pitch, a big league job for nearly three years.”
With the departure of Stults, determining the five pitchers in the starting rotation gets a little clearer. Starting pitchers Andrew Cashner, Tyson Ross and Ian Kennedy are expected to be the top three in the rotation next season, while Jesse Hahn and Odrisamer Despaigne — who both impressed in their rookie season’s last year — will compete with youngsters Matt Wisler, Robbie Erlin and Joe Weiland for the final two spots.
Along with designating Stults for assignment, the Padres reinstated starting pitchers Casey Kelly and Corey Luebke, first baseman Yonder Alonso and outfielder Carlos Quentin from their respective stints on the 60-day disabled list, and designated right-handed pitcher Donn Roach for assignment as well.