Benoit returns with scoreless frame vs. Rox

SAN DIEGO -- Late Sunday morning, Padres manager Bud Black said he wouldn't rule out the possibility of reliever Joaquin Benoit landing on the disabled list due to a dead arm.

But when the eighth inning rolled around hours later, Benoit trotted in from the bullpen and tossed a scoreless inning in the Padres' 8-6 victory over the Rockies.

Miraculous recovery or what?

"Today after I talked to you guys [media] this morning, he got a lot of treatment and he felt as though he was ready to pitch," said Black. "We talked in the first inning. He assured me he was fine.

"We feel good about where he is."

This was the first time Benoit pitched since April 27 against the Astros when he allowed three earned runs on two hits and didn't record an out.

Benoit spent most of the past five days getting treatment on the arm, specifically the shoulder area. He played catch each of the last two days and decided Sunday he was ready to jump into action.

"A couple of days ago we went out and played catch and it felt better than the time before. It has felt better progressively. This was the time to jump on the mound and test it," Benoit said.

The Padres' bullpen has gotten a lot of work early in the season and was charged with getting the final 11 outs on Sunday. Benoit's scoreless inning helped get the ball and the lead to closer Craig Kimbrel, who allowed a run but still earned his eighth save.

How did Benoit feel about his stuff?

"I think the stuff was good. I think I was a little off-target, but I was going from the windup this time. Hopefully this is the last time this happens," he said.