Padres 'optimistic' Mike Clevinger will pitch NLDS vs. Dodgers

Clevinger, 29, was acquired by the Padres at the trade deadline to bolster their rotation heading into the postseason. Unfortunately, he's been dealing with an elbow sprain since the end of the regular season. 

San Diego was originally hopeful that the right-hander would return against the St. Louis Cardinals, especially after what looked like a successful bullpen session. Both he and Dinelson Lamet were eventually left off the wild-card roster. 

With both guys out against the Cardinals and Chris Paddack struggling, it offered a glimpse into the Padres' lack of depth in their rotation. Getting Clevinger back against the Dodgers would be huge for a team looking to make a deep run into the postseason, but even at that, it won't be easy to defeat Los Angeles. 

The Dodgers were able to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers with ease in their Wild Card Round matchup coupled with excellent performances on the mound and a Mookie Betts hot streak. L.A. is expected to roll out Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and Dustin May against the Padres, and San Diego will need to have an equally strong rotation on the mound if they have hopes of moving on. 

Unfortunately, Nightengale added that Lamet likely won't be ready for the NLDS, so the Padres could eventually encounter some struggles on the mound.