Jason Marquis is getting another chance after his horrendous stint with the Twins.

Marquis has been signed by the San Diego Padres (record 19-38) and will start Thursday afternoon against the Giants.

In seven starts with the Twins, Marquis gave up 33 runs (all but one earned) in 34 innings. Those came in on 52 hits, 14 walks and three hit batsman. Somehow, Marquis managed to win two of those starts while compiling an 8.47 ERA, but he was deemed history by the Twins after yielding eight runs in less than two innings a couple of weekends ago in Milwaukee.

Marquis' game-slowing mound presence didn't do much to help his case.

But Padres manager Bud Black told the San Diego Union-Tribune: "The reports on him from the Double-A staff were that he's using the same mix of pitches we've seen from him, the sinker, slider, cutter, split. He's a veteran guy who knows how to pitch. He's excited about this opportunity. It's a situation for him to get a fresh start."

Marquis made a couple of Class AA starts for the Twins after missing time during training camp to be with his daughter, who was seriously injured in a bicycle accident. At the time, the Star Tribune's Joe Christensen reported: " The righthander ... was very sharp in an eight-inning appearance for Class AA New Britain on Thursday."

There's no good reason to root against Marquis in his return to the majors, but being a force in Class AA ball doesn't typically translate to major league success.

Maybe we'll go looking for a Jim Hoey update now. Or maybe not.