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I don’t doubt that Padilla may still be somewhat weak. I guess my question is couldn’t he pitch for 2-3 innings and then come out of the game? The Rangers need to hold Nippert back as a Plan B to Millwood in case he can’t go. Padilla going 2-3 innings and then Mathis going 3-4 innings would have kept the bullpen on regular work.

Any reason not to put him on the DL right now and call up some help? By the time his next turn in the rotation comes, he will have been out for more than 15 days.

What is it with all of these guys getting sick at the trade daedline? If Mathis meets the call and does well then I would send Padilla down the laundry chute to meet Jimmy Hoffa somewhere in Philly. Send that man to sick bay and don’t let him come back.

I am all for giving players the benefit of the doubt. However, to borrow the old football axiom, it appears we may have an issue with “the size of the fight in the dog” in this case. Too bad.

Has Padilla ever been mistaken for being a “team player”? His reputation precedes him. You know what you’re getting with him. He’ll hit some batters, anger opponents, and come down with nagging injuries, but when he’s wanting to pitch, he’s a legitimate #2-3 starter.

While I don’t know for sure of course, I find it exceedingly difficult to believe that he is STILL so sick that he can’t suck it up and get his arse out there and take one for the team. This kind of stuff (even if it’s just speculation instead of on sound footing) is why Padilla has the rep he does.

Maybe if he were more sociable with the media and public we might be more inclined to take his word for it. For example, Guardado has this aspect down pat.

Everyone just chill for one second. I refuse to jump on a guy who tested positive for swine flu..if he says he’s feeling weak maybe he really is feeling weak. Unless any of you have also ever tested positive for H1N1..then you aren’t allowed to say ”tough it out.” You don’t know what it’s like… What if he tried to gut it out but went out there and pitched terrible? Every single one of you would have criticized him for going out there when he didn’t feel capable. Give the guy a break, do you think he’s enjoyed having the swine flu these last 15 days?

Have you guys ever had a bad case of the flu before? It takes a lot out of you. In previous seasons, people got after Padilla for trying to go out and pitch when he was injured and then getting shelled. Now he knows he’s not anywhere near 100% and he’s actually being honest about what he can give the team. If he did go out there in his condition who’s to say he’s even capable of being effective. If he ended up pitching and got shelled you would all be saying he shouldn’t have come back so quickly. Give the guy a break he had a certified case of swine flu!

RealDeal’s got it right. Some of the rest of you must have some experience with people who ‘fake illness’ to get out of playing ball. Do teachers, heath care providers, ministers, etc., who love their professions/vocations ‘call in sick’ when they are not? I can’t stand being out of the classroom, but if I’m sick, I don’t go to school because: 1)working won’t make me better; and 2)I won’t be of any use to my students or my colleagues.