What Should Padres Expect Out of Brandon Morrow?

For several starts to begin the 2015 season, Brandon Morrow was the Padres best starting pitcher. Then the injury bug that has bit him each of the last three seasons struck, and eventually after a couple of failed rehab tries, he was lost for the year. Now Brandon Morrow is hoping to make good on his initial commitment to the Padres in 2016.

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Morrow signed a minor league deal with the Padres to come back, though he says he did get some soft offers from other teams, he liked the idea of finishing what he started. He also talked about trying to stay with the same team of doctors and coaches as he attempts to prove that at 31 his career which started with such promise isn’t already over prematurely like another tall right handed free agent the Padres tried out the last two years in Josh Johnson.

"“Ididn’t want to bounce around, I guess. It’s just the continuity; the doctors knew me since I was injured, obviously. … Going to a new spot, they’d only know what you tell them instead of having firsthand knowledge.”"

Logic that makes sense. Morrow’s major league presence though needs a good year to prove he still belongs in the league. After making 21 starts in 2012 with 3 complete games and an ERA of 2.96, he appeared poised to be the next ace of the Blue Jays his third year there after a few years in Seattle to start his major league career. Then, he made just 10 starts in 2013 and had an ERA over 5, Six starts in 2014 before leaving for San Diego where he managed just 5 starts albeit to a 2-0 record and 2.73 ERA. What will 2016 hold?

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He says he is healthy now and is an intriguing non roster invitee of the 63 players in Padres camp. The back of the rotation has several people vying for the 4th and 5th spots after the vaunted trio of Tyson Ross, Andrew Cashner, and James Shields. Last year Morrow was able to beat out several candidates including now departed Odrisamer Despaigne for that 5th spot, but can he do it again?