Padres' Sung Mun Song, Matt Waldron Sent On Rehab Assignments

As the San Diego Padres played their second game of the season on Friday, two of their players took their first steps in making their way back to the major-league roster.

Infielder Sung Mun Song and right-handed starter Matt Waldron began rehab assignments with Triple-A El Paso following their spring training injuries. Friday marked the season opener for the Chihuahuas, who played on the road against the Sacramento River Cats. Waldron is recovering from hemorrhoid surgery, and Song from a strained right oblique.

Waldron started and went three shutout innings, allowing two hits, walking none, and striking out three. Waldron faced 10 batters and threw 37 pitches, 25 for strikes.

Song, who played second base, had four plate appearances, going 1-for-3 with a walk, a strikeout, and two RBIs. Hitting second in the lineup, Song drew a six-pitch walk in his first plate appearance, lined out to center in the third inning, hit a two-run single in the fifth, and struck out in the sixth before being replaced in the bottom of the eighth by Clay Dungan. In the field, Song handled four grounders, helped turn two double plays, and caught a pop-up.

The Chihuahuas won 9-3.

The clock has now started on Waldron and Song. Rehab assignments can last up to 30 days for pitchers and 20 days for position players.