Trio of Rule 5 players finding roles for Padres

DENVER -- Nearly lost in the shadow of Wil Myers' cycle Monday night was Miguel Diaz's first Major League win. The Padres' rookie right-hander relieved starter Jarred Cosart after four scoreless innings, pitching a perfect fifth to earn the win over the Rockies.
Diaz has not yielded a hit or a walk through the first four appearances of his career, spanning 3 1/3 innings.
"He's been in a lot of leverage situations," manager Andy Green said. "He's pitched in big, pivotal situations, and he's thrown the ball really well."

Monday's fifth inning was unusual because of the production from San Diego's unprecedented three Rule 5 players. As Diaz, 22, earned his first win, he was throwing to catcher Luis Torrens, 20, who made his first Major League start and caught the first seven innings. Allen Córdoba, 21, got an infield single in the top of the frame when he pinch-hit for Cosart.
None of the three Rule 5 players had played above Class A before this season, and Cordoba is making the jump from playing in the rookie league in 2016.
"I'm not the encyclopedia on that, somebody might know more than me, but I've never seen that leap take place before," Green said. "[Cordoba's] going to continue to get opportunities. He's doing a nice job."

Cosart gave Torrens credit for guiding him through four scoreless innings.
"Torrens called a good game," Cosart said. "Any time you hold this team to three runs in their ballpark, it's a good day."
Green took pride in the output of all three Rule 5 players finding their roles on a young roster.
"Our scouts are going out and finding guys they think can contribute," Green said. "All three of those guys, they're contributing. They've made positive contributions in a two-week-old baseball season right now, which is really, really impressive."
Cahill on track
Trevor Cahill, who went on the 10-day disabled list Sunday (retroactive to Thursday) with a lower-back strain, threw from 90 feet Tuesday and is on track to return to the rotation Sunday in Atlanta.
"He had no issues in his mind," Green said. "He was glad to have done some baseball activity for the first time in a few days. Assuming he keeps feeling better, we'll keep ratcheting up the pace for him. If he's ready to go, he'll take his start, and if not, we'll probably use Cosart again in that capacity."