A former Padres reliever is finally back on the mound and could be aiming for a big-league return.
Drew Pomeranz exited the 2021 season in August after having flexor tendon surgery. He struck out three batters on 14 pitches Friday night for low-A Lake Elsinore. Pomeranz has made three appearances in low-A this season, pitching three full innings without allowing a hit or a walk.
Pomeranz played one game in Triple-A, but did not see the same success. In just a third of an inning, Pomeranz allowed three hits and three runs.
At his peak, Pomeranz has shown he can be a dominant reliever in the big leagues. He held a 1.45 ERA in 2020 with the Padres and a 1.75 ERA in 2021 before exiting with the injury.
Pomeranz is in the final year of a four-year $34 million contract and the Padres do not have a definitive plan for his return, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune.
Manager Bob Melvin was pleasantly surprised by Pomeranz's return to the mound.
“To actually see Pom back on a mound pitching again, I think that was something that maybe wasn’t expected,” Melvin said. “So we’ll see where we go from here.”
It is safe to say that the Padres will be keeping a close eye on Pomeranz. While it is unlikely he makes a big-league appearance this season, crazier things have happened.
More must-reads: