A real quick rundown on what’s going on around the Padres’ system…

Portland

Former big-leaguer Pete Incaviglia was released on Friday after hitting just .122/.200/.146 in 15 games. Right-hander Jason Middlebrook left Sunday’s start early thanks to a line drive off his pitching arm courtesy of Omaha’s Ken Harvey. It is not known whether Middlebrook, who was pitching his best game of the season when he left after the fourth inning, will make his next scheduled start. [The Oregonian]

Mobile

Right-hander Dennis Tankersley attributes his success in Sunday’s start at Orlando to better command and movement. Catcher Jarrod Bitter has been promoted to Triple-A Portland to replace the injured Adan Amezcua. Left fielder Vince Faison is out for a few days with a strained hammy. [al.com]

As previously reported, right-hander Ben Howard is next in line to make a start with the big club if needed. Howard and lefty Eric Cyr are both on the 40-man roster, while Jake Peavy is not. [San Diego U-T]

Peavy, by the way, pitched what is probably the best game of the season by anyone in the organization last night, working eight shutout innings at Orlando, allowing four hits while striking out 10 and walking none. This on the heels of his worst outing of the year, against überprospect Mark Prior. It is encouraging that both Tankersley and Peavy followed up poor outings with brilliant ones.

Lake Elsinore

Outfielder Abner Arroyo is healthy and playing with the Storm. He didn’t make my list of Top 30 prospects but is definitely someone to watch. Another kid worth keeping an eye on is second baseman Pedro De los Santos. Although he’s only played two games at Elsinore, he’s already second on the club in stolen bases. Perhaps more interesting, however, is the fact that he’s an 18-year-old playing in the Cal League.

Speaking of 18-year-olds in the Cal League, check out shortstop Jose Lopez in the Seattle system. He’s hitting .301/.357/.507 with eight stolen bases in nine attempts and just three errors at San Bernardino. If he keeps this up, he’ll be showing up on the radar before too long.

Ft. Wayne

Southpaw Nobuaki Yoshida is feeling strong after shoulder miseries plagued him for much of 2001. He credits off-season conditioning and an improving command of the English language for his success on and off the field in the U.S. [News-Sentinel]

Center fielder Keto Anderson cites his big brother Marlon, the Phillies’ second baseman, as a positive influence in his development as a player and as a person. [News-Sentinel]