SAN DIEGO _ The Padres are holding out hope right-hander Mike Clevinger will pitch for them in the postseason, even as they privately acknowledge the odds are against it happening.
The initial diagnosis after an MRI and X-rays is a sprained right elbow. The team has received some feedback after consulting additional experts that Clevinger could pitch for them in October, although at what point is unknown. Two sources said the team won't know until Sunday or even early next week whether Clevinger will be able to resume throwing this season.
The Padres will play their first postseason game in 14 years Wednesday. If they win that best-of-three series, they would begin the NL Division Series on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Clevinger, who had Tommy John surgery in 2012, was acquired from Cleveland in an Aug. 31 trade that involved the Padres sending three major leaguers and three of their top 11 prospects to the Indians.
The 29-year-old right-hander retired the Angels in order in the first inning Wednesday but afterward reported tightness in his bicep and was removed from the game. It was the same tightness that caused Clevinger to be scratched from his Saturday start.
He has a 2.84 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 19 innings with the Padres.
