Joe

Thatcher

Thatcher has begun the season on the disabled list in each of the past two years due to shoulder injuries (and even required surgery last May), so the hope is that the lighter workload will lead to less complications. “I’ve always gone to spring training thinking I had to impress everyone right away,” said Thatcher. “And it’s kind of against my nature to approach it any other way. But it’s nice to have them know what they think I can do and be able to ease into it.” If healthy, Thatcher should open the year as the Padres’ primary left-handed specialist.

Thatcher pitched only 10 innings last season due to a shoulder injury. He was dominant in 2010 and 2009, however, and will try to bounce back with better health.

Thatcher has been sidelined since late July with tendinitis in his right knee. He’ll need surgery on the knee eventually but is hoping to return later this season and delay the operation until the offseason.

Thatcher began a rehab assignment with High-A Lake Elsinore Wednesday, and if he gets through that appearance OK, he’ll be activated for the series against the Rockies. He might still require offseason knee surgery.

Thatcher sat out all weekend because of the knee discomfort and hadn’t made enough progress by Monday afternoon. The 30-year-old left-hander has posted a 3.42 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 26 1/3 innings this season. He should be back within three weeks.

He’ll be ready for a short rehab assignment soon. Thatcher is expected to eventually need surgery on his right knee but is hoping to delay it until the offseason.

The 30-year-old left-hander posted an 0-4 record, 3.42 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 26 1/3 innings before hitting the disabled list on July 30 with tendinitis in his right knee. He’ll return to his role as a situational lefty.

The Padres don’t think he’ll need a stint on the disabled list, but it’s not clear when he’ll be ready to pitch again. Thatcher holds a 3.42 ERA and 1.29 WHIP while striking out over a batter per inning in 40 games for the Pads this season.

Clayton Richard appeared set to go the distance, but Padres manager Bud Black opted to remove him from a 6-2 game with two on and two out in the ninth, setting up the easy save chance for Thatcher. Thatcher had made 212 major league relief appearances without backing into a save.

Thatcher went on the DL last month with tendinitis in the knee, but he soon developed sharp pain after that. He did say it’s been “a lot better” in recent days to the point where he still thinks he could return later this season. Even if he does come back this year, Thatcher will have surgery over the offseason to address the issue.