Padres, Stauffer enjoying pitcher's versatility

LOS ANGELES -- Since being added to the roster from Triple-A Tucson on May 17, pitcher Tim Stauffer has given the Padres a little of everything -- which is just the way he and the team like it.

Stauffer entered Tuesday's game with a 3.95 ERA over his first 13 2/3 innings in seven games since his promotion back to the big leagues.

He pitched 5 2/3 innings of relief against the Cardinals on May 22, allowing one run. He's pitched two innings twice and has been used in short stints, as well.

The versatility and his length have given manager Bud Black an arm to lean and depend on, and it has been a lot like his role with the 90-win 2010 Padres when he posted a 2.97 ERA in 82 2/3 innings as a reliever and a starter.

"I'm kind of enjoying being in the bullpen a little more," he said. "I like knowing there's a chance I will be in the game each day. I've felt pretty good. The biggest thing is the recovery."

Stauffer was pitching every five days in the Tucson starting rotation, so the Padres weren't able to initially use him, for example, on consecutive days. But Stauffer said he's always had a resilient arm and that he has been better about bouncing back quicker since he joined the team.

"I like the resiliency. We've tried to keep an eye on it. He was starting in Tucson, throwing every fifth day," Black said.