Padres recall LHP Tommy Layne from Triple-A Tucson and option RHP Burch Smith to Tucson

PHOENIX - The San Diego Padres today announced that they have recalled left-handed pitcher Tommy Layne from Triple-A Tucson to take the roster spot vacated when right-handed pitcher Burch Smith was optioned post-game to Triple-A Tucson on Wednesday. Executive Vice President/General Manager Josh Byrnes made the announcement.

Layne, 28, was 1-3 with a 4.00 ERA (8 ER, 18.0 IP) with 13 strikeouts in 19 relief appearances with Triple-A Tucson. He made his Major League debut last season with the Padres, going 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA (6 ER, 16.2 IP) with 25 strikeouts in 26 games after being acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks. After being converted to a reliever with Double-A San Antonio last season, he had a 1.31 ERA (3 ER, 20.2 IP) with 27 strikeouts in 29 appearances before being selected by the Padres on August 14, 2012. Layne was originally signed by Arizona as a 26^th-round selection in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft.

Smith, 23, made three starts for the Padres, going 0-1 with an 18.41 ERA (15 ER, 7.1 IP) with 11 strikeouts. Before being selected to the Majors, he was 1-2 with a 1.15 ERA (4 ER, 31.1 IP) and 37 strikeouts in six starts for Double-A San Antonio. He was named the Padres minor league Pitcher of the Month in April when he was 1-2 with a 1.38 ERA (4 ER, 26.0 IP) over five starts. In April he was second in the Texas League in ERA and WHIP (0.73) and limited hitters to a .163 opponents batting average (15-for-92), also second in the Texas League. In his minor league career, he is 10-8 with a 3.33 ERA (60 ER, 162.0 IP) with 178 strikeouts in 34 appearances including 32 starts. He was originally selected by the Padres in the 14th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Oklahoma.