Padres Shut Down Andrew Cashner

The San Diego Padres have shut down right-hander Andrew Cashner for the season because of continued problems with his right lat muscle, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune:

Cashner shut down for rest of season. More problems with same lat muscle

— U-T Padres (@UTPadres) September 19, 2012

The 26-year-old Cashner has been bothered by the under-arm muscle for much of the 2012 season, missing fifty-one games with a strain of the muscle from early July to the start of September. The right-hander made two starts after returning from the initial lat injury, but only threw three and two-thirds innings in his last outing and has not demonstrated the overpowering velocity for which he is known.

The Padres believe that the right-hander has a build up of scar tissue from the lat tear that will dissipate with time and continued sessions of playing catch. Cashner claims that he is still able to pitch but there remains a lingering pain when he attempts to throw his fastball at full bore, per MLB.com:

"I can still pitch, but I'm not able to cut my fastball loose," Cashner said. "That's when I feel the pain."

Acquired in January from the Chicago Cubs for Anthony Rizzo, Cashner appeared in just thirty-two games for the Padres this season. The right-hander amassed a 4.37 ERA and 10.3 K/9 in forty-five and a third innings of work, primarily out of the bullpen.

Cashner was scheduled to start Friday against the San Francisco Giants, but will be replaced by rookie Casey Kelly.