His 2008 audition with the Padres didn't end exactly the way that right-handed starter Josh Geer wanted it to.
Geer departed Friday night's outing against Pittsburgh with tightness in his right elbow after allowing only one run (a Freddy Sanchez homer) on three hits on 63 pitches. But the problem is considered minor, and Geer is already looking forward to next spring.
"Hopefully, I'll be a candidate for the starting rotation next spring," said Geer, who finished with a 2-1 record and a 2.67 ERA over 27 innings in five starts with the Padres.
"I've felt comfortable," continued Geer. "I feel I've shown that I can compete up here."
As for the tightness in his elbow, Geer explained: "I think it's a slight strain. I've felt it since my last start. I've been working on some different grips on my slider and it got tender. I've never had any arm problems and I had it looked at and it should be okay."
PIRATES 6, PADRES 3: RHP Mike Ekstrom replaced injured starter Josh Geer (mild elbow strain after allowing one run on three hits over five innings) and was down three runs before he got an out Friday. Ryan Doumit hit a three-run homer off Ekstrom -- meaning the Padres will finish with the second-worst record in the National League and still have a shot at 100 losses.
