Rule 5 pitcher Josh Martin returned to Cleveland Indians by Padres

The San Diego Padres have returned pitcher Josh Martin to the Cleveland Indians, the team confirmed via Twitter. Martin was selected by the Padres in the eighth round of last December's Rule 5 draft but did not perform well in spring training for San Diego. He was recently designated for assignment and then returned to the Indians on Tuesday. Cleveland will only need to repay San Diego half of the $50,000 they received as compensation for the draft pick.

Martin allowed 13 earned runs and 16 hits in only 11.0 innings of work for the Padres in March.

Martin will start the 2016 season in Triple-A playing for the Columbus Clippers. Last season, he spent the entire year at Double-A where he carried a 2.27 ERA and a 2.51 FIP in 44 reliever appearances. Martin was just one of many relievers who was believed to be in danger of being chosen in the Rule 5 draft, but he wound up being the only player chosen out of the Indians organization.