The San Diego Padres are holding out hope they'll have one of their best starters in the rotation at some point this postseason.

Mike Clevinger was diagnosed with a sprained right elbow following an MRI and X-rays Wednesday, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The Padres won't know for several more days if Clevinger can resume throwing this year, but the team is optimistic the right-hander avoided a serious injury, sources told Acee.

Clevinger had previously been dealing with biceps tendinitis and departed Wednesday's start against the Los Angeles Angels after one inning due to injury. The 29-year-old has made four starts for the Padres since they acquired him from the Cleveland Indians at the trade deadline, posting a 2.84 ERA, an 0.89 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts over 19 innings.

San Diego is scheduled to open its postseason on Sept. 30. Its opponent has not yet been determined.