Mark

Worrell

Worrell’s funky delivery helped him post a 3.09 ERA and strike out a batter an inning for Triple-A Memphis last season. He’s no lock to turn into a successful major league reliever, but he was definitely more worthy of a look than a few of the pitchers the Cardinals ran out to the mound last season. Hoffpauir is shaping up as a viable alternative should Adam Kennedy remain one of the game’s worst regulars next year.

Worrell is out for the season following Tommy John surgery.

Worrell, who had the procedure late last month, is done for the year.

It took a doubleheader and an awful outing from Mike Parisi to make it happen, but Worrell got an at-bat in the sixth and made the very most of it, taking Tim Redding deep. Because he’s a middle reliever, he could sport a 5000 OPS for quite some time.

The Padres didn’t feel like keeping Worrell on the 40-man roster as he continued his recovery from Tommy John surgery. The team will try to re-sign him to a minor league contract. He should be ready to contend for a bullpen spot in spring training.

Worrell had a 7.94 ERA and a 2.12 WHIP in 5 2/3 innings with the Cardinals. His highlight was undoubtedly the three-run homer he hit in his first major league at-bat. He gave up three earned runs and four hits over two innings Friday night against the Phillies.

It’d be nice to see Worrell finally get a look this year. He was added to the 40-man roster in November, so that’s no longer an excuse. He’s up to six hitless innings with a 9/3 K/BB ratio for Memphis. The 25-year-old spent all of last year at the level and had a 3.09 ERA. He’s no future closer, but he might prove pretty useful in the middle of a pen.

The 25-year-old Worrell is getting to make his major league debut. He’s been a terrific major league reliever, but he’s never had many believers because he’s mpre about deception with his delivery than blowing hitters away with his fastball. He might make it as a middle reliever anyway.

Worrell is expected to miss the first half of the 2010 season as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery. The right-hander was acquired from the Cardinals in exchange for Khalil Greene back in December of ’08 but he has yet to make an appearance in a San Diego uniform.

Worrell missed all of 2009 following Tommy John surgery and is eyeing a healthy start to the 2010 season. “By early January I started feeling a little different, not sore every time [after throwing],” the right-hander said Monday. “I feel a little bit more optimistic.” The Padres acquired him back in December of 2008 in a package for shortstop Khalil Greene.