Cedeno has made the most of his callup

SAN DIEGO -- A day after All-Star shortstop Everth Cabrera was suspended for the rest of the season for violating baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, the Padres recalled shortstop Ronny Cedeno from Class A Lake Elsinore to take his spot on the roster.

The move was made to give the team a player with experience at the position.

Cedeno has provided good defense and much more in his first 22 games with the Padres. He entered Saturday's game against the Rockies hitting .300 in his first 70 at-bats with the team after signing a Minor League deal with the organization on Aug. 3. He also has two home runs.

"We've seen a little bit of that bat in the past with other Major League clubs," said manager Bud Black. "With less than 100 at-bats, I don't want to get overly excited about what we've seen. But watching him in batting practice, watching him in games, he's shown a little more raw power than I thought."

Cedeno was released by the Astros on July 27 after hitting .220.

"There's some strength to his body and strength to his swing. I don't want to say it's surprising. [Hitting coach Phil Plantier] is encouraged by some of the things they've worked on," Black said.

The 30-year-old Cedeno, now with his sixth organization, has held up his end defensively, too.

"Defensively, he's been fine. … We've seen the good hands and the good arm," said Black. "He has made some nice plays. He's done a nice job."