Matt Strahm will make his first real start for the Padres in Monday night’s series opener against the Diamondbacks.
The 27-year-old left-hander was a member of the bullpen last year. He wants to be the kind of starting pitcher that can be counted on to go six innings, so as to not wear out relievers over the course of a season.
But he can’t change the way he pitches.
So in his first season being stretched out while coming back from a major surgery that took place less than two years ago, that might be somewhat out of his control.