Report: Padres to sign RHP Jason Marquis

Righthander Jason Marquis is expected to sign a deal with the San Diego Padres, a source tells Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com.

Source: #Padres to sign Jason Marquis. Expected to report to Triple A. Was 2-4 with 8.47 ERA before getting released by #Twins.—
Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 29, 2012

It’s unclear how many starts Marquis will make in the minors before the Padres give him a chance to return to the big leagues. San Diego’s top three starters, Edinson Volquez, Clayton Richard and Anthony Bass, are a combined 6-16, although with an ERA just under 4.00.

As several folks on Twitter have pointed out, the Padres are scraping the bottom of the RHP barrel by adding Marquis, 33, to a starter pool that also includes longtime journeyman Jeff Suppan (2-3, 5.28 ERA in six starts, his first since 2010). Last season, Marquis went 8-6 with a 4.43 ERA with the Washington Nationals and the Arizona Diamondbacks.