Lane's brief return to big leagues comes to end

SAN DIEGO -- The Padres gained a pitcher and lost one Saturday, as the team reinstated Andrew Cashner from the disabled list in time to make the start against the Nationals at Petco Park.

In order to clear a spot on the 25-rman roster, the team designated left-handed pitcher Jason Lane for assignment before the game.

Lane, 37, made news last week when he returned to the big leagues for the first time since 2007 -- not as an outfielder, but as a pitcher.

Lane, who hit 61 home runs over six seasons in the big leagues from 2002-07, appeared in two games as a pitcher for the Padres, allowing one hit over 4 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Padres have 10 days to either trade Lane, release him or outright him from the 40-man roster to the Minor Leagues. If that happens, Lane would likely return to Triple-A El Paso.

Lane didn't have any idea what might happen to him next, though it's possible he could be claimed by another Major League team looking for a left-handed reliever.

"This has been great," Lane said as he packed his things Saturday. "It was more than I really expected, the emotion of getting back up here as a pitcher. I thought my stuff was pretty good these two games.

"I just get a feeling I can get people out."

So does Padres catcher Rene Rivera, who was impressed by Lane.

"I was surprised how good his stuff was," Rivera said. "He had good command of the fastball, not a lot of velocity, a really good changeup. Last night, I saw a slider that was better than I thought.

"He was good but it was more important than that, it was special."