7 years agoSan Diego Padres starting pitchers Robbie Erlin (elbow) and Colin Rea (elbow) are taking things cautiously in camp this year as they come back from Tommy John surgery, but they are both among the 10 candidates vying for the team's five starting rotation spots. "Both of those guys, we like where they are right now," said manager Andy Green. "And we like that they're heading back to pitching for us on, hopefully, a consistent basis. They're in the hunt for rotation spots right now." Erlin, a 27-year-old lefty, doesn't blow hitters away with velocity, so it could take him some time to settle back in as an effective starter in 2018 if he's given an opportunity. Rea also has average fastball velocity and is a ground-ball pitcher, which plays well at pitcher-friendly Petco Park. However, both pitchers will be brought along slowly, and while they have potential, fantasy owners should take a wait-and-see approach.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBaller
Source: MLB.com - AJ Cassavell