San Diego Padres' pitcher has been involved in a freak accident while hunting, which could mean right-handed Andrew Cashner will miss the start of next season.

Cashner was forced to have surgery on Dec. 4 to repair a painful lacerated tendon in his right thumb, which occurred when he was accidentally stabbed by a friend as they trimmed a carcass together while out hunting.

The puncture only required two stitches but needed surgical repair, meaning that it will be months before the pitcher will be ready to take the mound again.

Padres general manager Josh Byrnes has said, "It's a three-month recovery. The doctors don't expect any long-term consequences, but Andrew will be behind. To say he'll be ready by Opening Day is unrealistic."

That means the Padres have a pitching problem, with Cory Luebke and Joe Wieland both already on the disabled list for the start of the season. Both of those pitchers are still recovering from Tommy John surgery, according to the Padres.

The injuries to their pitches are not the only problems affecting the team; catcher Yasmani Grandal has also been handed a 50 game suspension after testing positive for testosterone.

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In an effort to resolve their pitching problem the Padres have re-signed Jason Marquis, who was a free agent, on a one year deal worth $3 million.

The Padres had already planned to draw in two more pitchers prior to Cashner's injury, and despite him joining the injury list, the team has confirmed it will still only look to add one more pitcher to the roster in addition to Marquis.

Twenty-six year old Cashner was 3-4 with a 4.27 ERA in his 33 games for the Padres last season, although he only made five starts.