Buckner Called-Up, To Start Today For Padres

May 25, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Billy Buckner (31) delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Padres will add 30-year-old pitcher Billy Buckner to their 25-man roster prior to today’s game against the Chicago Cubs. Buckner will make the start after posting a 3-2 record with an impressive 2.89 ERA for the El Paso Chihuahuas–the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate of the Pacific Coast League. Buckner was teamless throughout spring training, and signed with San Diego just over a month ago on April 19th.

After having run out the same starting rotation for the first several weeks of the season, Buckner becomes the Friar’s third different, non-scheduled starter to take the bump. The team has suffered injuries to Robbie Erlin and Andrew Cashner from the original rotation, and they lost free agent signee Josh Johnson before he ever threw a regular season pitch. Buckner now joins Bud Black‘s makeshift staff that also includes relief pitcher Donn Roach and Tim Stauffer, who was brilliant in last night’s whipping of the Cubs, 11-1.

Buckner has appeared in 43 career games at the big league level which includes 23 starts. He has previously pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Los Angeles Angels, and the Kansas City Royals. He has primarily served in a spot-starter’s role throughout his four-year major league career.