San Diego Padres release RHP Billy Buckner
By Joel Burdeos
San Diego, CA- San Diego Padres have released right-handed pitcher Billy Buckner in order to make room on the Triple-A El Paso roster for recently acquired right-handed pitching prospect Stephen Kohlscheen.
Unfortunately for Billy Buckner with Stephen Kohlscheen needing a spot in the Triple-A rotation and Matt Wisler, Juan Pablo Oramas, Keyvius Sampson, Donn Roach and Jason Lane ahead of him. Billy Buckner was just the odd man out.
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Kohlsheen was acquired earlier this week along with outfielder Abraham Almonte from Seattle Mariners for outfielder Chris Denorfia.
Kohlsheen is a relief pitching prospect with a low to mid 90s fastball. He began the season in Double-A and was named a Southern League All-Star, before being promoted to Triple-A Tacoma.
Billy Buckner made one spot start for the Padres earlier this season against the Chicago Cubs and allowed three runs on 6 hits in 5.2 innings of work. Buckner has struggled this season in Triple-A El Paso, going (4-5) with a 5.80 ERA in 14 starts.
Buckner, 30, signed a minor league deal with the Padres in April to add pitching depth to the Triple-A roster.
Billy Buckner was drafted by the in the Kansas City Royals in the second round of the 2004 MLB draft out of the University of South Carolina. He made his Major League debut with the Royals in 2007. Billy Buckner spent four seasons in the big leagues from 2007-2011 in the starting rotation of the Royals and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Buckner would spend 2011-2012 with the Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox in the minor leagues, before returning to the Major Leagues with the Los Angeles Angels. Billy Buckner has a career 6.07 ERA in 23 starts and overall 155 2/3 innings of work.