Tough year continues for Micah Owing as San Diego Padres release him – MLB News
Micah Owing is not having things go his way this year. He had an elbow injury just six games in the season which later ended up with surgery, dropping the curtains on his playing chances in 2012. He is currently in rehabilitation process and now has to confront
another bitter reality as the San Diego Padres are releasing him.
The Padres were hoping to get him into starting rotation as two of their starting pitchers had injuries early in the season and were moved to the disabled list. The 30-year-old went 0-for-2 in his six appearances for the Padres with a 2.79 ERA serving in
the bullpen before he went out with right forearm soreness in April. He made a return to competitive level in July for Triple-A Tucson as a first baseman and outfielder. However, further injury forcing surgery cut his stint with the Tucson short.
He will most probably have to rely on more of an all round role in future. It is a situation that he understands himself. He still wants to remain a pitcher but understands that being a player first should be his priority and the pitching may have to take
a back seat for now.
“I’m not giving pitching up, but I see myself in the future as being a position player first and a pitcher second,” said Micah.
He has been a decent pitcher with a 32-33 win-loss record in the MLB in 138 appearances. These include 68 games as a starting pitcher. His 4.86 ERA is on the higher side though.
The right-handed pitcher is no mug with the bat. He is considered one of the best hitting pitchers in the Major League and has a .283 career batting average as he has hit nine home-runs and 35 RBI’s.
In his brief stint with the Tucson prior to the injury in July, he went 4-for-9 batting. He has played in MLB as a pinch hitter with his previous teams. He also received the Silver Slugger award in 2007.
In his six years as a player in Major League Baseball, Micah has played for three different ball clubs. He has twice been a member of the Arizona Diamondback playing three seasons for them. He has also played for Cincinnati Reds for two seasons and his last
assignment was with the Padres which was unfortunately cut very short by injury.
With the current injury, Owing will have to work hard to find a Major League team willing to take him on board. There is still some time for him as the season has just ended. He may have to be content with joining a Minor League team to kick off his 2013
season and find his way back to the Majors from there.
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