Padres recall LHP Josh Spence from Triple-A Tucson; place RHP Dale Thayer on paternity leave list

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres today announced they have recalled left-handed pitcher Josh Spence from Triple-A Tucson and have placed right-handed pitcher Dale Thayer on the Major League paternity leave list. Executive Vice President/General Manager Josh Byrnes made the announcement.

Spence, 24, is making his second stint with the Padres this season. The southpaw was recalled from Triple-A Tucson on April 8 and optioned back to Tucson on May 13 earlier this season.  In 11 games for San Diego this year, he is 0-1 with a 4.35 ERA (5 ER/10.1 IP) and 10 strikeouts against five walks.  In 29 games, two starts, for Tucson this season he is 3-2 with a 5.17 ERA (22 ER/38.1 IP), including 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA (8 ER/20.0 IP) over his last 12 games, two starts.  

Thayer, 31, and his wife, Lisa, are expecting the birth of their third child.  In a career-high 45 games, all in relief, for the Padres this season, the right-hander is 2-2 with seven saves, a 3.89 ERA (19 ER/44.0 IP), a .259 (43-for-166) opponents batting average and 34 strikeouts against just nine walks.  Thayer was signed as a minor league free agent in December this past offseason and was selected from Triple-A Tucson on April 26 earlier this season.