PHOENIX -- Padres right-hander Carter Capps began his second rehab stint Tuesday, pitching one inning for Triple-A El Paso. Capps allowed one run and struck out one as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery in March 2016.
In early May, Capps had his first rehab stint shut down as he struggled to hone his command and mechanics. He spent the next month at the club's Spring Training complex in Peoria, Ariz.
"A lot of work's been done on his delivery, trying to sync him up better and put him toward the plate more consistently," said Padres manager Andy Green. "He's still got work out ahead of him as he's working back from the surgery. Yesterday was a nice step."
Capps, who hasn't pitched since August 2015 with Miami, is best known for his quirky hop step delivery. During the offseason, Major League Baseball instituted a rule specifying that a pitcher cannot reset his pivot foot or make two distinct movements toward home plate.
Capps' delivery has not been deemed illegal at Triple-A, and the Padres are confident it's within the constricts of the new rule. That said, the funkiness of Capps' motion has made his recovery more difficult as he tries to perfect his mechanics after a year on the sideline.
"He's done a lot of work with [his delivery] and being consistent down the slope, keeping his toe on the ground the whole time," said Green. "He's continuing to work on all facets. Coming back from surgery, that's not an easy thing."
Weaver on the mend
Jered Weaver is throwing bullpen sessions every two days as he continues to recover from his inflamed left hip. Both Weaver and Green lauded the freedom of movement in Weaver's most recent session on Tuesday.
Weaver's ERA skyrocketed to 7.44 last month, before he was placed on the disabled list with inflammation he has been battling for the better part of the past year.
"Any tightness or restriction prevents you from getting the ball where it needs to be, and that's kind of what I've been dealing with," Weaver said. "You try to battle through, but it came to a point where the performance wasn't showing up. ... No matter how I'm feeling I want to take the ball, but I came to a realization that I needed to get my body back to where it needed to be.
"If I get it back, I get it back. If not, it was a good ride. But I'm not ready to give up. I still know I can get it back, so I just keep working."
It's unlikely the Padres send Weaver on a rehab stint until he's not inhibited by any tightness. Weaver says his bullpen sessions have helped build stamina, so a potential Minors stint could be abbreviated.
Diaz to start Saturday
The Padres have informed rookie right-hander Miguel Diaz that he will make his first career start on Saturday against Kansas City.
In 21 appearances out of the bullpen this season, Diaz has posted a 7.50 ERA. But most of the damage was done during his first few weeks. Since May 9, Diaz has posted a 2.79 ERA in 9 2/3 innings.
The Padres acquired Diaz from Milwaukee with the first-overall selection in December's Rule 5 Draft. He spent the 2016 season with Class A Wisconsin, where he made 15 starts and posted a 3.71 ERA.