PITTSBURGH -- When Chris Paddack was optioned to Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore on June 12, it raised some eyebrows. But Paddack, who was in the Padres' visiting clubhouse at PNC Park on Friday, knew the deal.

The Padres had told Paddack this spring that not only would he likely see an innings limit, but that the Minor League option route could be in play. So there was no surprise, and for his part, he appreciated the time to “get back to myself” while he got some rest.

“It all dominoes to one specific reason, and that’s my elbow, that’s my health,” Paddack said.

Paddack threw just 90 innings last season in the Minors and had Tommy John surgery in August 2016, which kept him out for all of ‘17. That total is the most innings he’s thrown in a single season. Paddack has already tossed 65 2/3 innings this season, and San Diego isn’t even halfway through its regular-season schedule.

So while the Padres understandably would love to keep Paddack on the mound, they know how vital his long-term health is. Plus, with San Diego only two games out of a National League Wild Card spot entering Friday and Fernando Tatis Jr. back after more than a month on the injured list, the club could need the rookie’s arm in October.

Paddack is on board with whatever keeps him pitching as deep into the season as possible.

“There’s science proving that this is the amount of innings that you want to stay around the first few years,” he said. “You don’t want to go overboard. There’s no specific numbers -- there’s not 100 percent proof out there -- but there’s no point in taking that chance, taking that risk.”

Paddack kept active while in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., where Lake Elsinore had traveled for a five-game series from June 12-16. He ran, lifted and threw some bullpen sessions, while also trying to make some changes to his changeup that was less effective over his last few starts.

“I feel like it was more arm speed than anything,” Paddack said. “Just slowing up a little bit -- good hitters are going to pick that stuff up. Maybe they saw something the last three or four starts, but I just rely on myself and what got me here.”

Paddack also got to spend time around the up-and-coming crop of the Padres' farm system. A quick riser through the Minors, Paddack has a lot to offer to the Lake Elsinore squad, while also doing the smaller things like tossing with Mackenzie Gore before a game.

“When they told me I got optioned down, I thought about that right away,” Paddack said. “This is where I was last year. I kind of get to use this time to be an example, be a leader for these younger guys like Gore, [Luis] Patino -- all these studs we have coming up through these levels. Just be a role model. Let them pick my brain [and] give them some information that could help them.”

But it certainly wasn’t easy for Paddack to be away from the big league squad, especially as he lived or died with every update from the MLB app while the Padres took on the Rockies in a record-breaking four-game series that had 92 runs and some head-turning ninth-inning comebacks.

“I’ve never watched a game so nervous, because you’re just waiting and waiting and waiting to see the pitch,” Paddack said. “... Watching the games, watching the boys win, still acting like I was a part of the team.”

Now Paddack is ready to return and to impact the team, with his first start slated to come Saturday against the Pirates.

“It’s good to be back, for sure,” he said.