Padres manager Bud Black is telling MLB.com that Robbie Erlin or Matt Wisler could fill the fifth spot in the starting rotation as Josh Johnson heals from a strained flexor muscle in his forearm.
Black says the 21-year-old Wisler has a lot of poise despite his age, and he brings a fastball in the low 90s that moves and a good breaking ball. Wisler will have to continue working on his change-up, he says.
Black says Erlin has been around the big leagues and has pitched in Fenway and Wrigley, so he’s capable of doing good things on a Major League field.
Johnson will likely be out for a month to six weeks.
