Walter

Silva

Silva kept the Padres in the game, but he was hardly impressive while doing so. He allowed five hits and four walks, two of which were drawn by Chad Billingsley. He also gave up a homer to Casey Blake, and he struck out just one. It’s hard to recommend him based on this one.

Silva has been out since April 14. He’s likely to return as a reliever, so he really shouldn’t require much of a rehab assignment. Then again, the Padres might simply decide to leave him at Triple-A.

When Silva returns, it will probably be as a reliever. It’s also possible that he’ll just be optioned to the minors.

Well, that was fun. Silva was invited to Padres spring training this February after posting nice-looking numbers in the Mexican League last season and in the Caribbean World Series. The big leagues proved a bit overwhelming for the 32-year-old right-hander, however, as he went 0-2 with an 8.76 ERA in six starts.

Silva just isn’t a major league pitcher, and the Padres can’t keep running him out there when he’s not even eating innings. He has an 8.76 ERA and just 11 strikeouts over 24 2/3 innings in his six starts.

Silva allowed five hits and three walks, getting knocked out of the game by David Wright’s game-tying three-run homer in the fifth. Silva’s next start comes in Philadelphia, so you’ll definitely want to stay away.

Facing the Rangers in Arlington is a tough assignment for anyone, but Silva just isn’t a major league pitcher. It’s too bad the Padres will have to keep running him out there until Chris Young gets back unless they can find someone from outside of the organization.

Silva’s stuff is below average, but Petco could make him look like a reasonable fifth starter or a quality middle reliever. He’ll enter the season in the rotation because of Cha-Seung Baek’s injury.

Baek hopes to return after missing just one start. His absence will put both Walter Silva and Shawn Hill in the rotation to begin the year, with Silva scheduled to pitch Wednesday.

Right-hander Josh Geer will be called from Triple-A to pitch Sunday against the Phillies. Silva has a 6.52 ERA to go along with a 1.72 WHIP this season, so he shouldn’t be on fantasy rosters anyway.