Padres News: Drew Pomeranz’s First 2023 Action Set for Thursday

Padres relief pitcher set to pitch for Triple-A affiliate

Some good news just came out of San Diego regarding their bullpen. 

Padres radio host Sammy Levitt spoke with skipper Bob Melvin and said reliever Drew Pomeranz is inching closer to a return, which will start on Thursday. 

Padres manager Bob Melvin says that Drew Pomeranz will make a rehab outing with AAA El Paso on Thursday.

— Sammy Levitt (@SammyLev) April 11, 2023

Pomeranz started the season on the IL after experiencing inflammation in his left elbow. The southpaw has battled through injuries in prior seasons and missed all of the 2022 season as he was recovering from a flexor tendon surgery. 

The big left-handed pitcher seems to be heading in the right direction, and Padre fans can't wait to see him back on the mound. 

This will be the 34-year-olds fourth season in San Diego. His first stint came back in 2016, where he pitched in 17 games as a starter before getting traded to the Boston Red Sox. In 2016, Drew went 8-7 with a 2.47 ERA with the gold and brown. 

Drew made his way back to the Friars in the winter of 2019 where he signed as a free agent. He's been with the squad since 2020 and in two seasons he's pitched with the team, he's went 2-0 with a sub-two ERA and 59 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched in 2020 and 2021. 

When Pomeranz returns, he is projected to pitch in the middle innings and serve as a bridge for closer Josh Hader. We're hoping for a good and healthy outing for Drew on Thursday.