San Diego Padres to Use Tim Stauffer Out of Bullpen Again

Apr 8, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Tim Stauffer (46) pitches during the sixth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

As the Padres continue to work past injuries in their starting rotation and shuffle the pieces of that rotation around, a move back to the bullpen is the new course for Padres right hander Tim Stauffer.

Over three starts this season Tim Stauffer allowed 9 runs in just 8 total innings pitched. In the final two of his three starts he failed to pitch past the third inning. His one positive game as a starter came in his first of the season against the Cubs. Stauffer tossed five innings of shut out ball with two hits allowed, a walk and five strike outs.

Meanwhile, out of the bullpen, in over 22 innings in 2014 Stauffer allowed just five total runs, only one time allowing multiple runs in an appearance. His ERA as a member of the pen drops from 4.15 to a more than serviceable 2.01. In 2013 the trends were positive for Sauffer in the bullpen.

Over 43 major league games out of the bullpen last year staffer allowed 29 runs and posted an ERA of 3.75. Prior to last season Stauffer appeared in 25 games out of the bullpen in 2010, with just one other relief appearance coming in 2005. In those 25 games in 2010 out of the bullpen, Stauffer posted a sparkling 0.98 ERA.

In the business world, personnel managers preach about putting the right people in the right places for personal and overall success. That is even more true perhaps in the world of sports. While Stauffer’s role in years past had him as a key cog in the starting rotation, moving forward his ability to contribute to the overall success of the Padres organization may hinge on his ability to accept his new relief role and sail into it.