Christian Friedrich took another step toward a return to the majors.
Making his third start in the Padres organization, the 28-year-old left-hander debuted at Triple-A El Paso with three runs allowed in five innings in a 6-3 loss to Las Vegas. He struck out four, walked two and allowed six hits, including a two-run homer to Travis Taijeron.
Signed to a minor league deal, Friedrich – a former first-round pick of the Rockies in 2008 – started the year at high Single-A Lake Elsinore, where he struck out seven and allowed two runs on seven hits and now walks in nine innings over two starts.