The San Diego Padres announced, through their official blog FRIARWIRE, some more roster moves entering the second half of their 2015 Cactus League season.

The new moves now leave the Padres with 45 players in their major league camp, meaning the Friars will need to reassign or cut twenty more before Opening Day’s 25-man roster is set.

The Padres has optioned pitchers Robbie Erlin, Leonel Campos and Casey Kelly to the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas.

Pitchers Matt Wisler, Jay Jackson and infielder Diego Goris have been sent to the minor league camp.

Robbie Erlin is a surprise to me, he got some time in the big league last year, so I assumed he would be in the Padres rotation. San Diego sees Erlin as a starting pitcher, so they probably feel it behooves them to move him to Triple-A to face tougher minor league batters.

I got to see Casey Kelly pitch on Saturday’s exhibition against the Diamondbacks. Looks like it’ll be his only inning of work this Spring Training, so I am even more glad to have seen him retire all three batters he faced. Kelly is still rehabbing so sending him to Triple-A is probably the right move for the recovering ace. I know everyone here at Friars On Base is hoping Kelly will be back in the bigs soon. If he pitches like he did on Saturday, that won’t be too long.

Wisler remains the Padres top pitching prospect and one Padres fans were glad AJ Preller was able to hold onto during the moves he made this winter – along with Hunter Renfroe and Austin Hedges. Wisler did not have a great Cactus League season. He worked five innings on the mound, but surrendered nine runs on eight hits. Wisler is only 22 yrs old, so there is lots of time for him to hone his craft to be ready to compete on the major league level.

Stay tuned to Friars On Base for all updates on the Padres as they narrow down their roster for the 2015 season.

Go Pads!