Bruske returns to Stars but doesn't plan to stay

Jim Bruske is back for another round. But he's not going to raise a glass over it.

As much as he enjoyed pitching in Las Vegas last year, Bruske was not full of cheer as he gazed from the Stars' dugout onto the diamond at Cashman Field Tuesday. The right-handed reliever was sent down by the San Diego Padres over the weekend.

"Vegas is a fun town, but it's not the major leagues," Bruske said before the Stars' 8-2 victory over the Salt Lake Buzz. "Maybe in the majors I was getting spoiled. This is a little reality check."

He pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings to finish the game in his return. He stymied the Buzz after entering in the eighth with one out and runners on second and third.

Cashman Field was the last place Bruske figured he would be after the Los Angeles Dodgers claimed him off waivers from the Padres late last season. The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder made the opening day roster and pitched effectively.

In 35 games with the Dodgers, he went 3-0 with a save and a 3.48 ERA. Many of his 44 innings were quality ones, coming in tight contests. He earned the faith of Dodger management as evidenced by the 11 games he finished.

"I was real happy with my pitching," Bruske said. "But toward the end of my stay in Los Angeles I got a little upset because I wasn't getting used as much as I thought I should be."

Bruske's bitterness turned sweet on July 23, when he was traded back to the Padres for pitching prospect Widd Workman.

"When they told me about the trade, I thought it was a joke," Bruske said. "I went from a .500 team to a first-place team that should make the playoffs.

"It was a dream come true. I've always said I wanted to finish my career in San Diego. It felt good to be there again."

Reunited with the Padres, Bruske went seven innings over four games, finishing one. He posted a 3.86 ERA with no decisions or saves.

But Bruske was victimized by the one stat he had over the rest of the San Diego staff: a remaining minor-league option.

When the Padres acquired closer Randy Myers last month, Bruske was the only pitcher who could be sent down without the risk of becoming a free agent.

"That's baseball I guess," he said. "I went from being on top of the world to the minor leagues overnight. I thought I was in a position where I wouldn't see triple-A ever again."

Stars manager Jerry Royster, as strapped as he is for arms, was not happy to welcome Bruske back.

"I'm not pleased at all to have him," Royster said. "I didn't want to see Jim Bruske return here any more than he did."

Bruske, 33 and in his 13th pro season, was told by Padres general manager Kevin Towers his demotion would be temporary. If he does return, he could still pitch his way onto the postseason roster.

"He said the latest it would be is Sept. 1," Bruske said. "But I'll have to stay here at least 10 days unless there's an injury or an emergency.

"But you can't take anything for granted. I've been around long enough to know they're going to say things to please you when they send you down."

Royster isn't sure how he will employ Bruske. The converted outfielder is capable of starting, closing and everything in between.

"We gotta get him in shape," Royster said. "We're running out of time here, but we have to get him out there. In our scenario, he's going to pitch. I'm going to pitch him like he's going back up."

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