GaryMrMets
03-26-2003, 10:09 PM
Padres Release F. Cordova, Claim M. Matthews
PEORIA, Ariz. -- The San Diego Padres released right-hander Francisco Cordova and added lefty Mike Matthews to their battered bullpen, claiming him off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Padres also placed left-hander Kevin Walker and right-handers Jay Witasick and Kevin Jarvis on the 15-day disabled list. They join slugger Phil Nevin and closer Trevor Hoffman, who have been put on the 60-day DL.
The Padres have a payroll of about $43 million, and more than $18 million of that will be owed to players who will open the season on the disabled list.
The injuries to Walker, Witasick and Hoffman leave manager Bruce Bochy with a makeshift bullpen going into Monday's season opener at home against defending NL champion San Francisco. The Padres have known for some time that they'll be without Hoffman until after the All-Star break, but now they have a patchwork group even before they get to the closer.
Hoffman, fifth on the career list with 352 saves, had elbow surgery and will miss at least half the season. Brandon Villafuerte, who starts the season as the closer, has one career save.
PEORIA, Ariz. -- The San Diego Padres released right-hander Francisco Cordova and added lefty Mike Matthews to their battered bullpen, claiming him off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Padres also placed left-hander Kevin Walker and right-handers Jay Witasick and Kevin Jarvis on the 15-day disabled list. They join slugger Phil Nevin and closer Trevor Hoffman, who have been put on the 60-day DL.
The Padres have a payroll of about $43 million, and more than $18 million of that will be owed to players who will open the season on the disabled list.
The injuries to Walker, Witasick and Hoffman leave manager Bruce Bochy with a makeshift bullpen going into Monday's season opener at home against defending NL champion San Francisco. The Padres have known for some time that they'll be without Hoffman until after the All-Star break, but now they have a patchwork group even before they get to the closer.
Hoffman, fifth on the career list with 352 saves, had elbow surgery and will miss at least half the season. Brandon Villafuerte, who starts the season as the closer, has one career save.