The Padres and right-hander Jordan Lyles, a first-round pick in 2008, have agreed to a minor league deal. The 26-year-old will be assigned to Triple-A El Paso and could serve as much-needed starting pitching depth.

Lyles was released by the Rockies last week. He was 0-2 with a 6.94 ERA, 33 strikeouts and 12 walks in 46 2/3 innings out of Colorado’s bullpen.

In parts of seven years with the Rockies and Astros, who originally drafted him, Lyles is 27-45 with a 5.29 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. He’s averaged 6.1 strikeouts per nine innings in his career, the first five years of which were in a rotation.

That could come in handy.


The Padres traded away Trevor Cahill last month and has been without Jered Weaver (hip) since mid-May. Christian Friedrich, another option to eat innings down the stretch, is unlikely to pitch this year after experiencing continued discomfort in his forearm in Saturday’s rehab start at Lake Elsinore.

Lyles last started in the majors in 2016, allowing 19 earned runs in 20 innings in five starts before the Rockies moved him to the bullpen.

The 38th overall pick in 2008, Lyles pairs a mid-90s fastball, with a 90 mph slider, a curve and a change-up.


Padres Videos × On Now Padres pitcher Chris Paddack on start vs. Mariners and possibility of making rotation On Now Meet the Padres: Ian Kinsler 5:18 On Now Catching up with Padres OF Franmil Reyes 5:18 On Now Meet The Padres: Greg Garcia 5:11 On Now Catching up with Padres reliever Craig Stammen 5:33 On Now Meet the Padres: Logan Allen 6:23 On Now Meet The Padres: Manny Machado 9:08 On Now Meet The Padres: Chris Paddack 5:08 On Now Three things that stood out from Machado's first day with the Padres 1:53 On Now Padres manager Andy Green on Machado joining his roster

jeff.sanders@sduniontribune.com; Twitter: @sdutSanders