Padres Tim Stauffer to make his first start since 2012

San Diego, CA- After placing starter Robbie Erlin on the disabled list yesterday with elbow soreness, reliever Tim Stauffer will make his first start for the Padres since 2012.

Tim Stauffer had his best season with the Padres in 2011 when Stauffer was the Padres Opening Day starter and started 31 games and went (9-12) with a 3.73 ERA, with 128 strikeouts in 185 2⁄3 innings.

2012 was a tough season for Tim Stauffer, as after being scheduled to be the Padres Opening Day starter, Stauffer suffered an elbow strain in spring training and spent most of the season on the disabled list before making his only start on May 14th against the Washington Nationals when Bryce Harper hit his first career home run off Stauffer. Stauffer returned to the disabled list after his start and then had season ending right elbow surgery.

Since returning to the Padres in 2013, Stauffer has maintained a role in the bullpen as their long relief reliever ever since.

Stauffer this season is (1-0) with a a 2.41 ERA in 18.2 innings pitched. The most Stauffers pitched this season is three innings of relief last Sunday against the Rockies. It would be ideal for the Padres if Stauffer can last at least 5-6 innings tonight to allow the Padres to save long relief man Donn Roach for this weekend.

Pregame Notes according to Bill Center of FriarWire:

•  Stauffer will be limited to around 60 pitches tonight
• RHP Billy Buckner will start tomorrow night against the Cubs. Buckner is (3-2) with a 2.89 era in Triple-A El Paso.
• Donn Roach whose was supposed to start tomorrow, will remain in the bullpen for now.
• Carlos Quentin might be available to pinch hit Friday night.