Padres make several roster moves to set winter 40-man roster

SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Padres today announced they have selected the contracts of right-handed pitchers Donn Roach and Keyvius Sampson, and left-handed pitcher Juan Oramas. In addition, Major League Baseball has confirmed the signing of pitcher Josh Johnson. To create room on the 40-man roster, the Padres designated right-handed pitchers Brad Brach and Miles Mikolas, left-handed pitcher Jose De Paula and outfielder Jaff Decker for assignment. Executive Vice President/General Manager Josh Byrnes made the announcements.

The 23-year-old Roach pitched exclusively at Double-A San Antonio in 2013, posting an 8-12 record with a 3.53 ERA in 28 starts. The 6-foot-1 right-hander is 28-20 with a 3.41 ERA in four minor league seasons. A third-round pick of the Los Angeles Angels in 2010, the Padres acquired Roach on May 4, 2012 along with infielder Alexi Amarista.

Sampson, 22, followed up a breakout regular season in which he combined for a 12-7 record with a 3.57 ERA in 28 games (27 starts) combined for San Antonio and Tucson (AAA) by posting a 0.79 ERA for Peoria in the Arizona Fall League, allowing one earned run in 11.1 innings and earning a spot in the Future Stars Game. The Padres' fourth-round selection in the 2009 Draft is 35-23 with a 3.79 ERA over 92 appearances, including 88 starts, in his minor league career.

The 23-year-old Oramas returned from an injury-shortened 2012 to become a key component of Texas League champion San Antonio. After two rehab starts with Peoria (R), the native of Mexico went 3-2 with a 3.07 ERA in 12 starts for the Missions in the regular season before not allowing a run over 12 innings in two starts in the Texas League playoffs. The 5-foot-10 lefty is currently 5-1 with a 3.18 ERA in seven starts for Hermosillo in the Mexican Winter League.

With today's transactions, the Padres currently have a full 40-man roster.