Padres prospect Portillo begins rehab

Right-hander Adys Portillo, the Padres' No. 5 prospect, began a Minor League rehab assignment Saturday night in Fort Wayne, Ind. He started the second game of Class A Fort Wayne's doubleheader against West Michigan, allowing two earned runs on eight hits in 2 2/3 innings. He did not receive a decision in an 8-7 victory by Fort Wayne over West Michigan.

Portillo had not pitched since tenderness in his right triceps sidelined him near the end of Spring Training. He is expected to make three total rehab starts as he works his way back to Double-A San Antonio, where he was scheduled to open the season before his injury.

Portillo went 6-6 with a 1.87 ERA in 91 2/3 innings with Fort Wayne and was an All-Star in the Midwest League a year ago. He bypassed Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore and was promoted directly to San Antonio late last season.

The Padres signed Portillo out of Venezuela in 2008. His fastball is one of the best in the Padres organization and can touch 100 mph. He also throws a good curveball and a changeup, but he needs to improve his command to be successful when he returns to the upper levels of the Minor Leagues.