SAN FRANCISCO — As much as San Diego would like to see Odrisamer Despaigne make one more start against an opponent he dominates, the Padres announced Thursday that they are shutting down the right-handed starter for the rest of the season.
The 27-year-old rookie strained a right lat muscle in his most recent start, a 5-0 win over the San Francisco Giants on Sept. 19.
Despaigne allowed only two hits in seven innings that night, extending his string of brilliance against the National League wild-card team to one run allowed in 20 innings. He is 2-0 against the Giants.
Despaigne threw a bullpen session Tuesday in San Diego in hopes of facing the Giants this weekend during the four-game series that will conclude the regular season. In fact, the Padres flew into San Francisco on Thursday not announcing their starters for Saturday and Sunday, keeping the door open for their promising newcomer.
However, before the Padres fell 9-8 to the Giants, San Diego manager Bud Black said the team would err on the side of caution and allow Despaigne to take the memory of a shutout against the Giants into the long offseason.
Despaigne ends with a 4-7 record and a 3.36 ERA in 96 1/3 innings over 16 starts.
Left-handers Eric Stults and Robbie Erlin will start in San Francisco on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.