Padres optioned LHP Wade LeBlanc, RHP Mike Ekstrom, RHP Cesar Carrillo and INF Travis Denker to Triple-A Portland; optioned OF Luis Durango and RHP Jackson Quezada to Single-A Lake Elsinore; reassigned RHP Chris Britton, RHP Matt Buschmann, C Mitch Canham, 3B Peter Ciofrone and OF Cedric Hunter to minor league camp.
LeBlanc was thought of as a rotation candidate last spring, but he had a disappointing season in Triple-A and didn't come to camp with a real chance of winning a job this yer. He gave up seven earned runs in six innings. The one player here who should have made the team is Chris Britton. Still, he is rather similar to Duaner Sanchez and the Padres felt they didn't need both. He can become a free agent if he thinks he'll have a better opportunity elsewhere. |