Padres flip Cashner, Despaigne in rotation

CINCINNATI -- The Padres have made a slight alteration in their starting rotation for their series against the Reds.

Andrew Cashner, scheduled to start Sunday, will now start Saturday. Odrisamer Despaigne, the original starter for Saturday, will start the series finale in Sunday.

Manager Bud Black explained that this move gives Despaigne a few extra days of rest following his eight-inning start on Sunday against the Pirates, the longest outing this season by any starter.

It also serves to get Cashner back to the mound faster after a four-inning start against the Mets on Wednesday.

"We'll give Despi a few extra days … we thought it would be good to give him a few extra days and we thought it would be good to get Cashner back on the mound as soon as possible," Black said.

Video: PIT@SD: Despaigne hurls eight innings of one-run ball

The decision to push Despaigne back to Sunday aligns his start with Brandon Morrow, who is on a Minor League rehabilitation assignment with Double-A San Antonio. On Sunday, Morrow will make his second and final start with the Missions, throwing approximately 80 pitches.

The Padres could then pick between Morrow or Despaigne to start when their turn rolls around on June 12 against the Dodgers at Petco Park. Despaigne has been filling in for Morrow while he has been on the disabled list with inflammation in his right shoulder.

Since filling in for Morrow, Despaigne is 1-3 with a 5.79 ERA in five starts, though he's allowed a combined three earned runs in his last starts covering 20 innings.