SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The San Diego Padres today announced that they have claimed right-handed pitcher Pat Neshek off waivers from the Minnesota Twins.  In addition, the club has optioned outfielder Luis Durango and right-handed pitcher Samuel Deduno to Triple-A Tucson.  Executive Vice President/General Manager Jed Hoyer made the announcements.

Neshek, 30, has made 132 career relief appearances over parts of four Major League seasons (2006-08, 10) with the Twins.  He has gone 11-6 with a 3.05 ERA (44 ER/129.2 IP) and 151 strikeouts, averaging 1.16 strikeouts per inning pitched.  Neshek has made six relief appearances for the Twins this Spring, posting a 4.26 ERA (3 ER/6.1 IP) with five strikeouts.

Durango, 24, appeared in 15 games for the Padres this Spring.  He hit .280 (7-for-25) with four stolen bases.  Originally signed by the Padres as a non-drafted free agent in 2003, Durango has hit .305 (12-for-48) in 28 Major League games over parts of two seasons (2009-10).

Deduno, 27, made six relief appearances for the Padres this Spring, going 0-1 with a 6.43 ERA (5 ER/7.0 IP).  He recorded 12 strikeouts compared to four walks.  Claimed off waivers by the Padres from Colorado on February 1, Deduno made his Major League debut last year and allowed one run in 2.2 innings over four appearances for the Rockies.

You can keep up with Pat on Twitter or his website.