Padres Suffer First Major Injury Of 2015

Ian Kennedy heads to the 15-day disabled list

Aside from backup catcher Tim Federowicz suffering a knee injury, the Padres got through Spring Training more healthy than they have in years. But they couldn't make it one trip through the starting rotation without having a setback.

Starting pitcher Ian Kennedy is headed to the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring strain. Kennedy hurt the hammy in the second inning of Thursday night's extra-innings loss to the Giants. Padres manager Bud Black said Friday he does not expect Kennedy to miss more than two starts.

Odrisamer Despaigne will move in to the rotation in Kennedy's place. Left-handed pitcher Chris Rearick was called up from Triple-A El Paso to fill the roster spot. But, those were not the only move the Padres made.

Relief pitcher and Ramona native Nick Vincent got optioned El Paso. Vincent took the loss due to an unearned run in the 12th inning of the Padres' 1-0 loss in Thursday's home opener, but that's not why he's being optioned. The bullpen has been used a lot already, especially after Kennedy only went two innings and the game went 12 on Thursday.

Vincent threw two innings and has been in three of the first four games so he needed a rest anyway and draws the short straw. Brandon Maurer, one of the many off-season additions for the Padres, joins the team in his stead. Maurer brings a mid-90's fastball and power slider to the Padres bullpen.

In one final roster transaction, the Padres transferred LHP Cory Luebke from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list as he continues his recovery from a second elbow reconstruction surgery.

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