Padres' Michael Wacha: Likely out until August

Wacha (shoulder) has resumed playing catch, but Padres manager Bob Melvin said the hurler is unlikely to return from the 15-day injured list before the end of July, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan San Diego reports.

Wacha is expected to throw on flat ground a few more times before getting on a mound, and he may need a rehab assignment after that since he hasn't pitched in a game since July 1. The right-hander had his turn skipped in the rotation prior to that July 1 start due to the same shoulder issue that resulted in his placement on the IL, so he's thrown from a mound just once over the past month. Melvin mentioned the Padres' intention to extend the pitcher's return timeframe in order to ensure that they "get a healthy Michael Wacha."