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Padres may receive pitching boost soon amid Dodgers chase in NL West
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- Padres may receive pitching boost soon amid Dodgers chase in NL West
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The San Diego Padres may soon add needed pitching help as the NL West race moves closer to July, with German Marquez nearing a return to the rotation after nearly two months away.
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Marquez has been sidelined since May 3 with right forearm nerve irritation, but his rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso has put him close to major league consideration. The right-hander has made five appearances for the Chihuahuas and posted a 2.12 ERA, giving San Diego a sign that his arm is responding.
MLB.com provided the latest injury update Wednesday on the league's official website, noting Marquez has continued building toward a return after progressing through his minor league work.
"RHP Germán Márquez
Injury: Right forearm nerve irritation
IL date: May 3 (15-day IL)
Expected return: Late June or early July
Status: Has made five rehab appearances with a 2.12 ERA for Triple-A El Paso. Is nearing a return. (Last updated: June 24)"
The timing holds significance for the Padres. Chasing the Los Angeles Dodgers requires rotation depth, especially with the schedule tightening and every division series becoming more important. San Diego signed Marquez to a one-year deal before the season with the hope that he could provide veteran stability.
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If healthy, the right-hander will lengthen a staff that needs reliable innings. His return would also give the front office more flexibility before the deadline. Instead of forcing an early trade for rotation help, the Padres could treat him as an internal addition.
Forearm issues always create concern for pitchers, but five rehab outings without a reported setback represent progress. San Diego still needs to see how Marquez responds to his final buildup steps, but the path toward a return is becoming clearer.
For the Padres, the equation is straightforward. If Marquez finishes his rehab cleanly, San Diego could soon add a proven arm for one of its most important stretches of the NL West race.
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