According to Corey Brock, Brandon Morrow is headed back to San Diego on a minor league deal.
#Padres sign RHP Brandon Morrow to a MiLB deal (ST invite). Limited to 5 starts in 2015, surgery in August (right shoulder impingement).
— Corey Brock (@FollowThePadres) December 18, 2015
Morrow pitched for the Padres during the 2015 season, but he was shut down after his start on May 2nd, his last of the season. In 33 innings, he posted a K/9 of 6.27, a BB/9 of 1.91, and a HR/9 of 0.82. His ERA and FIP were both encouraging, 2.73 and 3.56, respectively, but Morrow's inability to stay healthy is a serious concern.
He hasn't made 30 starts in a single-season since 2011, when he was with the Blue Jays, and has only made 42 starts in the last four years combined.
If he can prove to be healthy, there's a decent chance Morrow could crack the opening day rotation, as the Padres currently have James Shields, Tyson Ross, Andrew Cashner, Robbie Erlin, Colin Rea, and Drew Pomeranz listed on their depth chart.
There's also a possibility that one of Shields, Ross, or Cashner could be traded before the 2016 season, which would open the door even more for Morrow. However the deciding factor will ultimately be his health, which has been difficult to count on over the course of his career.