Mankato, Minn.- Former Mankato MoonDog and current San Diego Padre Erik Hamren made his Major League debut on Monday night, August 1st against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The right-handed pitcher was promoted on July 31st after the Padres traded relief pitcher Mike Adams to the Texas Rangers.

The Saddleback College (LA) product played for the MoonDogs in the summer of 2008, but his time in Mankato was short. Hamren was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 37th round in 2008 and made 15 appearances for the ‘Dogs before signing his professional contract. In those 15 appearances, Hamren went 1-2 with a 2.04 ERA, and six saves in 17 2/3 innings pitched.

Hamren played in the Chicago Cubs farm system in 2008 and 2009 before being let go following a rough 2009 season for Single-A Peoria. He then made the jump to the Independent Northern League in 2010, and after a successful stint there, signed a minor league contract with the Padres. In Single-A and Double-A, Hamren played 48 games and was 5-0 with a 0.96 ERA before making the jump from Double-A to the Major Leagues.

Hamren joins San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford (2005), as the second former MoonDogs to be called up to the Major Leagues this season. He also joins Cleveland Indians third baseman Jack Hannahan (1999) and New York Yankees All-Star center fielder Curtis Granderson (2001) as former Mankato players currently playing at the Major League level.