SAN DIEGO -- Righty reliever Carter Capps has moved from Triple-A El Paso to the Padres' Spring Training complex in Peoria, where he will continue to work out the kinks in his mechanics and his command.
The hard-throwing right-hander is coming off Tommy John surgery and began his rehab assignment last month. But he struggled for Triple-A El Paso, and the Padres will likely request an extension of his rehab stint.
Typically, pitchers are allowed 30 days on rehab before a decision must be made on a callup. But the collective bargaining agreement allows for teams to request up to three extensions for pitchers who are recovering from Tommy John surgery -- which can be a volatile process.
"Healthy? Yes, no problems whatsoever," said Padres manager Andy Green. "He's working on his delivery, working on his command, working on his stuff and just being sure he's in the right spot, so he's ready to come back and help us. We got to the point where we thought that was the quickest route to get him back to the big leagues."
In eight Minor League appearances this season, Capps has allowed nine earned runs over seven innings while striking out eight.
Initially, the Padres had hoped Capps might be ready at the start of the season. Turns out, that was wishful thinking. After all, Capps underwent surgery on March 8, 2016, and recovery typically takes 14-18 months.
"You want him back to the version of himself he's been in the past," Green said. "The accelerated path he was on wasn't getting us where we wanted to get to."
Capps -- who is best known for his quirky hop-step delivery -- has yet to pitch in a regular season game for the Padres. They acquired him in July in the trade that sent Andrew Cashner to Miami.
Capps posted a 1.16 ERA in 30 innings for Miami in 2015 before his elbow flared up that August.
Cosart headed to Nashville
Jarred Cosart will make a rehab appearance Sunday in Nashville for El Paso. The right-hander will pitch four innings with plans to return from the disabled list next week.
Cosart sustained a right-hamstring strain in the fourth inning of his April 18 start against the D-backs. He's likely to pitch as the long man out of the bullpen upon his return.
Cosart pitched two innings for Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore on Tuesday, allowing one run. The Padres wanted to stretch his arm out before his return, so Cosart is expected to pitch innings 5-8 out of the 'pen in Nashville on Sunday.