Lane hit 26 home runs for the Astros as an outfielder in 2005 but was out of the majors two years later. Now, he's back in the big leagues as a pitcher.
The Padres purchased the contract of 37-year-old left-hander Jason Lane on Tuesday, the team announced via Twitter. The transaction is noteworthy because it will be the first time Lane has been in the majors since appearing as an outfielder in 2007.
Jason Lane antiguo outfield ahora es lanzador fue llamado por San Diego a #MLBpic.twitter.com/qpbzMqpSDQ
— Miguel Ramos ⚾⚽™ (@leugimramos) June 4, 2014Lane decided to attempt a comeback as a pitcher in 2012 after failing to crack the Blue Jays' big league roster in 2010 and 2011. He signed with the Diamondbacks as a non-roster invitee that season and wound up in independent ball before being picked up by the Padres in 2013. Lane posted a 5.24 ERA with 33 strikeouts and only six walks in 46⅓ innings for Triple-A Tucson last season. He has lowered his ERA by almost a run in 64 innings spanning 11 starts this year despite regressing in the strikeouts and walk departments.
As a 28-year-old with the Astros in 2005, Lane enjoyed a career year, slugging 26 home runs in 561 plate appearances for the National League champions. He never again matched that production or amount of playing time in the big leagues and hit just .175/.254/.345 in what was his final season until now.
San Diego also recalled right-handed pitcher Jesse Hahn to fill the other spot vacated by the demotion of reliever Donn Roach and the placement of starter Eric Stults onto the bereavement list.