ST. LOUIS — The San Diego Padres claimed former Cardinals minor-leaguer Luis Perdomo and instantly added him to their major-league bullpen. The Cardinals remain in semi-control of his rights, but the Padres present a roadblock to the righthander’s return.

Perdomo, a Rule 5 selection this past winter, had been designated for assignment by the San Francisco Giants coming out of spring training. But according to Rule 5 policies Perdomo had to first be passed through waivers before returning to his original club, the Cardinals. That gave 28 other teams a shot at claiming him before the Giants had to, by rule, offer him back to the Cardinals. Thin on pitching depth, San Diego claimed the righthander, and he was reportedly in uniform for Friday’s game.

(Earlier this week, in Cardinal Beat, San Diego was mentioned as the likely landing place for Perdomo.)

Rule 5 standards still apply to Perdomo. He must remain on the Padres’ 25-man roster for the entire season for them to gain complete control of the righthander.

If they attempt to pass him through to the minors, he will again go through the waiver process. If he clears, the Padres must then offer him to the Cardinals, his original team. The Cardinals have said they will take him back, add him to the 40-man roster, and deposit him in the bullpen in Triple-A.

Perdomo (check his stats here) was acquired from Cleveland last summer for Anthony Reyes.

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