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Padres Add Yet Another Pitcher Coming Off An Injury
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- Padres Add Yet Another Pitcher Coming Off An Injury
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The San Diego Padres have need pitching reinforcements, and things are getting desperate. They've been trying veteran retreads on low-cost contracts and minor league deals all season long, and Jhony Brito is the latest shot in the dark to try to get quality starting pitching.
Brito hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2024, and he's coming off elbow surgery. That's a typical m.o. for a Padres starter this season, and that situation was reflected when manager Craig Stammen commented on his status and situation.
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"What role, that's to be determined, but we feel good about his rehab process," manager Craig Stammen said in an article written by Bernie Wilson of MLB.com . "He's been pitching the ball well and we're excited to get him [as] a part of our pitching staff."
The Padres season has turned into a slow-moving disaster movie, and they still haven't named a starter for tonight.
"I think we've got an idea of what we're probably expecting tomorrow, but things change on a daily basis," Stammen added.
The last time Brito pitched for the Padres was on August 10, 1924, according to Wilson. He worked 2-1/3 innings in a 9-8 victory in Miami , and that was his 26th appearance of the season, all in relief, in his rookie year. Brito was one of five players obtained from the Yankees in the blockbuster deal that sent Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to the Yankees on Dec. 7, 2023.
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Brito has been outstanding in his four rehab starts at Triple-A El Paso and Double-A San Antonio, and the Padres are hoping he's more than just a feel-good story.
"I'm happy," Brito said through interpreter Jorge Merlos. "After all the time in trying to come back from injury, it's exciting to be back. Once they told me I was going to come back, I was really excited."
The Padres will be a lot more excited if he can actually pitch well. Their list of injured pitchers currently includes Randy Vasquz, Jason Adam , David Morgan, Lucas Giolito , Jeremiah Estrada and Matt Waldron . If that sounds like most of the staff, that's because it is, and that's leaving out Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove , both of whom are on the longer-term version of the injured list.
Brito hasn't been told what his role will be, but he seems unconcerned.
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"I feel like I can contribute however the team needs me," he said. "I know it's in kind of a bit of trouble right now, but however I can be available, I'll be there.
"All about the routine that you put together while you're rehabbing. It's however your arm is going to feel at the end of the day. After all this rehab and after all the work I've been able to put in, I feel like I'm ready to contribute to the team."
