Official Press Release Courtesy of the San Diego Padres Media Department:

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres announced today they have reinstated left-handed pitcher Joe Thatcher from the 60-day disabled list and optioned outfielder Blake Tekotte to Double-A San Antonio.  Executive Vice President/General Manager Jed Hoyer made the announcement.

Thatcher, 29, has been on the disabled list since March 29.  The southpaw underwent surgery on his left shoulder on May 2 and was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on May 4.  He began a rehab assignment on July 17 and posted a 1.08 ERA (1 ER/8.1 IP) with 12 strikeouts against three walks and just three hits allowed over nine rehab outings between Single-A Lake Elsinore and Triple-A Tucson.  Last season for San Diego, Thatcher went 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA (5 ER/35.0 IP) and 45 strikeouts against seven walks over 65 relief appearances.  Originally signed by the Milwaukee Brewers as a non-drafted free agent in July of 2005, he has gone 4-6 with a 3.27 ERA (46 ER/126.2 IP) and 133 strikeouts against 44 walks in 164 relief appearances over parts of four Major League seasons, all with the Padres (2007-10).

Tekotte, 24, made his second stint with San Diego this season. The outfielder collected a career-high three hits and two stolen bases on August 2 against the Los Angeles Dodgers at PETCO Park, the first stolen bases of his career.  In 12 games total for San Diego this year, he has hit .250 (6-for-24) with one double, one triple, one RBI, one run scored, four walks and two stolen bases.  In 86 games total for San Antonio this season, he has hit .299 (99-for-331) with 25 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs, 55 RBI, 64 runs scored and 31 stolen bases.

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