Left-hander Dillon Overton will start for the Padres against the Dodgers on Saturday. Overton, who pitched for Triple-A El Paso on Monday, was claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners on June 19.

With a couple of recent off-days on the schedule, the Padres had not needed a fifth starter to replace the injured Miguel Diaz until now. Overton had a 9.33 ERA in seven appearances, including one start, with the Mariners this season. After arriving in the Padres’ clubhouse Friday, he said El Paso pitching coach Bronswell Patrick had informed him he was tipping his pitches.

“I was like, ‘What the heck? No wonder y’all were smashing balls off me left and right,’” said Overton, who faced El Paso earlier in the season. “That’s exactly what I’ve been working on since I’ve been there.”

On Monday, pitching for El Paso, the 26-year-old allowed one run over five innings. It was an encouraging performance for a pitcher who had been designated for assignment June 18.


“When you get DFA’d like that, especially right after you had a child, you buy a house, all that stuff … it just kind of starts hitting you real quick,” said Overton, whose son, Oliver, was born three months ago. “My wife kept telling me, ‘Don’t worry about the money, we’ll figure it out.’ We prayed for two nights straight, and the next morning, we got a call that said I’d been claimed by the Padres. I’m going to be honest, I got emotional at the time ’cause I was happy.”

A corresponding roster move will be made when Overton is officially recalled before Saturday’s game.

Cordero optioned

With utility man Chase d’Arnaud returning from paternity leave Friday, the Padres optioned outfielder Franchy Cordero to El Paso. Cordero made a promising major league debut in late May after Manuel Margot went on the disabled list, but he had struggled recently.

In 27 games, Cordero was hitting .230 with three home runs and 42 strikeouts. Margot, the Padres’ starting center fielder, returned to action this week.


“I had a great conversation with (Cordero),” manager Andy Green said. “For him, it’s putting balls in play. He is dynamic, exciting, young, does a ton of really good things, covers ground in the outfield. He’s going to work on left field and right field, play in the corners a little bit more to increase his versatility.”

Notable

According to MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo, the Padres signed their 16th-round draft selection, Kailua (Hawaii) High left-hander Joey Cantillo, for $302,500. Earlier this week, San Diego signed its 15th-rounder, Hamilton (Ariz.) High right-hander Cole Bellinger, for $350,000. The deadline to sign draft picks is July 7.

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