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Despaigne, Morrow to battle for Padres' 5th starter job

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

With all of the attention focused on the top of the San Diego Padres rotation this winter, an intriguing competition is unfolding at the backend.

Padres manager Bud Black said right-handers Odrisamer Despaigne and Brandon Morrow have emerged as the favorites to claim the final spot in the starting rotation, telling reporters that the pair are "maybe out there a touch" ahead of other candidates.

Morrow, who signed with the Padres for a chance to resume his career as a starter, stands to make an additional $5 million in bonuses if he pitches out of the rotation. The 30-year-old signed for $2.5 million after spending the last five seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Despaigne, 27, performed inconsistently as a rookie last season, struggling to keep the ball inside the yard and showing an inability to miss bats across 16 starts. The Cuban native was defined by extreme home-away splits, pitching to a 1.86 ERA at Petco Park and a bloated 5.31 mark on the road.

Morrow maintains the talent and experience - his 108 career starts rank third on the staff behind James Shields and Ian Kennedy - to win the spot, but injuries have limited the hardthrower to just 212 1/3 innings over his last three seasons.

Other candidates expected to compete for the job include left-hander Robbie Erlin and top prospect Matt Wisler.

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