Another roster cleanup

The Padres reduced the Major League roster to 32 players by sending three players outright to Triple-A Portland.

INF Craig Stansberry and RHPs Tim Stauffer and Kevin Cameron were assigned to Portland on Wednesday.

Stauffer spent 2008 on the Major League disabled list because of a shoulder strain. Because he was on the 60-day DL, he had not counted against the 40-man roster limit.

Cameron split last season between Portland and the Padres. He was 0-0 with a 3.60 ERA in 10 relief appearances in the Majors.

Stansberry spent most of the year with Portland but got in 12 games with the Padres. He went 6-for-16 (.375) with two RBI and four runs in those 12 games.

It is common practice for teams to reduce their Major League roster after the season in anticipation of adding players through waivers claims, signings and trades. Also, minor leaguers who are eligible for the Rule 5 draft either must be added to the roster or exposed to the draft process.

FJ