When the Padres devised up plans to move Matt Strahm to their rotation, they believed they’d left themselves with plenty of options to throw at left-handed hitters.
Jose Castillo proved a devastating weapon in that department as a rookie. Veteran Aaron Loup joined the stable via a one-year, $1.4 million this spring. Brad Wieck was going to come up behind them as an understudy after he pushed past his cancer scare.
Halfway through the season, injuries have limited the first two options to a combined 3 1/3 innings and the 27-year-old Wieck has struggled throughout his second year in the majors, further stressing a traditionally strong unit that has developed into an Achilles heel.