CHICAGO -- Feeling the residual effects of cramps in both hamstrings, Andrew Cashner had his bullpen session canceled on Wednesday, and he is questionable for this weekend's start in Milwaukee.
The Padres right-hander sustained the injuries while running from first to home on a Jon Jay double during Sunday afternoon's game against the Mets. He was removed after taking the mound for the top of the sixth inning.
The Padres are concerned that Cashner's injuries could be more than just cramps -- specifically in his right hamstring, which is ailing a bit more than the left.
"Typically cramps subside after 24 hours and you don't have those issues going forward," said Padres manager Andy Green. "There might be some sort of strain in there. I don't frankly know the full extent, I don't think anybody does. He's going to come out, play catch and see how he feels. But we backed him off his bullpen [session]."
If Cashner is able to make his start, it won't come until Saturday. Initially, he had been scheduled to pitch Friday's game, but because of Monday's rainout, the Padres had a vacancy in their rotation Saturday. They've essentially moved that "TBD" up to Friday night, giving Cashner an extra day to recover.
The Friars appear to be leaning toward a Minor League callup for Friday's start. If Cashner can't go, they'd potentially ask one of their bullpen arms -- perhaps either Carlos Villanueva or Brad Hand, who have starting experience -- to take the hill Saturday.
"We have the possibility of guys in the Minor League system coming up and starting on Friday," Green said. "I think we're probably more apt to look at covering with the bullpen on Saturday. It gives us some clearance from [the doubleheader] today."
Going with a Minor League callup on Friday would rule out Brandon Morrow, who hasn't pitched for the Padres since last May because of a shoulder injury. Morrow has been recovering from surgery at Triple-A El Paso, but he pitched Monday, making him unavailable for Friday.
Among the club's options at Triple-A are Jeremy Guthrie, Christian Friedrich and Daniel McCutchen. None of the three are currently on the club's 40-man roster, but the Padres could clear room by moving Robbie Erlin (Tommy John surgery) to the 60-day DL.
As for Cashner, he's never had any leg issues in his past, and there's still a chance this issue could resolve itself.
"Sometimes you've got to take 24-48 hours before you know the full extent," Green said. "He had cramps in both hamstrings. He's still feeling tension in both of them. ... We'll just regroup in a day or so and see where he's at."