PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Padres have invited right-handed pitcher Walter Silva to join the team with hopes he'll earn a spot in their starting rotation.

Silva, 32, is on loan from Monterrey of the Mexican League. If Silva performs well this spring, he could give the Padres another potential starter for their rotation behind Jake Peavy, Chris Young and Cha Seung Baek.

Silva went 7-8 with a 4.21 ERA with Monterrey last season and recently pitched well in the Caribbean World Series for Mazatlan, where he was teammates with Adrian and Edgar Gonzalez.

Silva was 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in two starts in the Caribbean World Series that was held earlier this month in Mexicali.

Adrian Gonzalez gave Silva a high recommendation to general manager Kevin Towers. The Yankees had also shown interest in Silva.

Silva posted a 2.54 ERA in 16 games this winter with Mazatlan, striking out 29 over 35 innings.

Edgar Gonzalez, who played with Silva in the Caribbean World Series, said Silva sits around 89-91 mph and can throw 93 with an above-average cut-fastball.