Peoria, AZ (World Wide Gamble) - The San Diego Padres signed pitcher Shawn Hill to a minor league contract Monday among a host of roster moves by the team.

The right-hander was released by the Nationals last week. He had his 2008 season cut short due to soreness in his right elbow and forearm and eventually underwent a procedure to remove calcium deposits in the elbow. The 27-year-old also missed the entire 2005 campaign while recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery.

Hill was 1-5 with a 5.83 earned run average in 12 starts for the Nats last season, and is 7-15 lifetime with a 4.93 ERA in 37 starts over four seasons.

San Diego made a number of moves Monday and optioned pitchers Josh Geer, Scott Patterson and Joe Thatcher, catcher Jose Lobaton, infielder Matt Antonelli and outfielder Will Venable to Portland of the Pacific Coast League.

Geer was expected to compete for the fifth starter's job this season but had a rough Spring, posting a 10.43 ERA in five starts. Hill is now expected to fill that role.

Also on Monday, the Padres acquired pitcher Luke Gregerson from the St. Louis Cardinals to complete the December 4, 2008 trade for shortstop Khalil Greene.