Cassel makes Major League debut

CINCINNATI -- It was about three hours before game time on Friday when Jack Cassel drifted out of the visiting clubhouse at Great American Ball Park and made his way to the mound.

"I was just letting it soak in," Cassel said. "I was trying to remind myself it's 60 feet, six inches [to the plate]. It is the same dimensions that I have played on since high school."

Forgive Cassel for having a "Hoosiers" kind of moment, as he was surely a long way from Kennedy High School in Los Angeles.

Eight years after signing his first professional contract, the 27-year-old Cassel realized a dream on Friday, when his Triple-A contract was purchased by the Padres.

The right-hander was in uniform for the first game of a three-game series against the Reds. Better still, he made his Major League debut when he came in for starter Wil Ledezma in the third inning.

"It was everything -- shock, relief, satisfaction and realizing your ultimate goal," Cassel said. "I relate it almost to a graduation. It's one of those deals where I did it, I attained that goal, and I'm proud of myself for doing it."

Cassel was added to the 25-man roster to take the place of reliever Doug Brocail, who was placed on the bereavement list after the death of his grandfather in Colorado.

The Padres made another roster move on Friday when they recalled left-hander Joe Thatcher from Portland and placed outfielder Scott Hairston on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique.

As for Cassel, he doesn't know how long he'll stay, though manager Bud Black said on Friday that Brocail will join the team on Tuesday at PETCO Park.

Cassel will pitch in long relief for the Padres after going 7-11 with a 3.54 ERA over 24 games (21 starts) for the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League.

"I'm a sinker, slider guy," Cassel said. "I give up my fair share of hits because I try to stay aggressive. I'd rather give up a hit than a walk. With that I've been fortunate to keep the ball in the ballpark and keep my walks down."

Cassel, whose younger brother, Matt, is a former USC quarterback and now the backup in New England to Tom Brady, said that his promotion to San Diego truly felt like a reward for sticking with baseball even when peers were passing him by.

"It got to the point where I saw a lot of peers ... guys that I was playing with and against, getting up there," he said. "For me, I think if you think you can't do it, you're in the wrong business. I always told myself to keep working and that day will come."