Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
Before right-hander Tyson Ross makes his 11th start of the season Tuesday night against the Miami Marlins at Petco Park, there are several numbers to contemplate.
The Padres are 7-3 this season when Ross starts a game. When anyone else starts, they are 15-30.
The Padres are 3-0 when Ross starts at Petco Park. When anyone else starts at Petco Park, the Padres are 6-18.
Ross is 4-3 with a 3.13 ERA.
Actually, the three-fifths of the set part of the Padres' rotation -- Ross, left-hander Clayton Richard (3-6, 4.97 ERA) and right-hander Jordan Lyles (1-1, 3.83 ERA) -- will be facing the Marlins over the final three games of the four-game series.
After that, Cincinnati comes to Petco Park. The Padres haven't named a starter for Friday while the struggling left-handed rookie Eric Lauer (1-3 with a 7.67 ERA) is scheduled to start Saturday night.
Left-handed rookie Joey Lucchesi (3-2, 3.23 ERA) will probably miss at least one more start on the disabled list. Right-hander Luis Perdomo would have probably returned to the rotation had he not gone on the disabled list at Triple-A El Paso last week.
There are some other possibilities already on the staff:
Left-hander Robbie Erlin allowed four hits while striking out three in 5 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Lauer. Erlin has a 1.57 ERA over 28 2/3 innings out of the bullpen, but has a 14.14 ERA in two earlier starts. But working that long on Monday likely makes him unavailable for Friday.
Right-hander Bryan Mitchell was 0-3 with a 6.47 ERA in seven starts before being moved to the bullpen after his May 5 start. But his ERA has climbed to 6.91 after three relief outings -- nine runs allowed on 17 hits and five walks in 9 2/3 innings.
NOTEBOOK
• C A.J. Ellis was 0-for-3 on Monday, ending his eight-game hitting streak ... which was the second-longest hitting streak of his career.
• OF Hunter Renfroe, who had been on the disabled list since April 21 with inflammation in his right elbow, was activated from his rehab assignment at Triple-A El Paso before Monday's game and was 1-for-4 with an RBI. Renfroe was hitting .220 with the Chihuahuas.
• SS Freddy Galvis extended his modest hitting streak to five games. He is 6-for-17 during the streak with four doubles and a home run.
• The Padres designated left-handed reliever Kyle McGrath for assignment on Sunday to create an opening on the 40-man roster for right-hander Phil Hughes, who is expected to report on Tuesday. When he does, the Padres will have to move one player from the 25-man roster.
• Renfroe took outfielder Franchy Cordero's spot on the 25-man roster. Cordero was moved to the 10-day disabled list with a right forearm strain.