Benoit dealing with dead arm, hopes to avoid DL
Padres reliever last pitched April 27 vs. Astros
SAN DIEGO -- Reliever Joaquin Benoit is fighting through a case of dead arm, manager Bud Black said Saturday.
The right-hander has not pitched since April 27, a game where he allowed three earned runs against the Astros while not recording an out.
"We're keeping an eye on Joaquin," Black said. "He's feeling better. He threw in the outfield yesterday, played catch. He's had four or five days of rest."
Benoit has a 4.09 ERA in 11 innings over 12 games, though he's been scored on five times.
The Padres added a reliever to the 25-man roster before Friday's game against the Rockies, as Nick Vincent was promoted from Triple-A El Paso.
At this point, the Padres don't think Benoit will require a disabled list stint if he doesn't throw Saturday against the Rockies, which will give him five full days off.
"He's improving," Black said.
The Padres had been using Benoit as an eighth-inning specialist, setting up closer Craig Kimbrel. The team will likely use Dale Thayer in those spots moving forward.