SAN DIEGO -- When Padres reliever Joe Thatcher was optioned to Triple-A Portland on May 11, he departed with every intention of returning to pitch for the Padres this season.

It turns out he didn't have to wait long, as the Padres recalled the left-hander on Tuesday to take the place of starting pitcher Jake Peavy on the 25-man roster.

Peavy was placed on the disabled list after an MRI taken Monday revealed swelling and strained muscles in his right elbow. Peavy will miss, at the minimum, two starts.

As for Thatcher, he was sent to Triple-A after a series of rough outings left him with an 0-4 record and a 6.75 ERA in 16 appearances for the Padres.

"I went down there and took a breather. I worked on some things, throwing on the side, but mainly it was taking a little break, getting away from the pressure, regrouping. Now I'm back here trying to help this team win some ballgames," Thatcher said.

Thatcher only appeared in two games with Portland, allowing two runs in two innings.

"Getting sent down isn't something you want to happen or that's in your plans ... but I think everything happens for a reason," Thatcher said. "It's part of being a young guy, too. This is my first full season of Major League baseball.

"Every pitcher has been through hard times. You learn from it."