Padres mulling starter options for Tuesday

CHICAGO -- The Padres know that pitcher Tim Stauffer will start against the Pirates on Monday when the team returns to Petco Park.

The team also knows who will start Wednesday's game, Ian Kennedy.

What remains a mystery is who the team will tab to start Tuesday's game, the first time it has needed a fifth starter in a while.

With Andrew Cashner and Robbie Erlin on the disabled list, the Padres have leaned on Sunday starter Eric Stults, Stauffer, Kennedy and Tyson Ross. But they'll need a starter on Tuesday.

"The starter will come from within our organization," quipped manager Bud Black, who was not yet ready to divulge Tuesday's starter.

The candidates that make the most sense for the Padres are right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne, who is currently with Triple-A El Paso, and righty Jesse Hahn, who is with Double-A San Antonio.

Despaigne threw four innings on Tuesday in his Triple-A debut. Matt Wisler, who would have been another candidate, started Sunday for El Paso.

As for Hahn, who impressed the organization in Spring Training and made a late push for a spot on the Opening Day roster, Tuesday would be his normal day to start.

Hahn, 24, is 2-1 with a 2.20 ERA in 32 2/3 innings in the Texas League. He has allowed 29 hits, 11 walks and had 28 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting .242 against him.