Mitchell activated after nearly 3 months on DL

SAN DIEGO -- Sept. 1 is here, meaning Major League rosters have officially expanded.

The Padres made just one move, and it wasn't a call-up. Instead, they activated Bryan Mitchell off the disabled list, where he spent nearly three months after being diagnosed with right elbow impingement.

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Mitchell will start for the Padres on Monday in Arizona, earning a coveted chance in the rotation for a team with an abundance of encouraging rookie arms and several off-days in September. The Friars have five days off in the final month of the season, which doesn't bode well for the many pitchers hoping to show their worth.

But as San Diego continues to experiment with its future…