SAN DIEGO -- Mike Adams experienced a entirely smooth rehabilitation process after offseason shoulder surgery for a torn labrum last October. Now he's hopeful for an equally easy transition back into the majors.

The reliever, who was reinstated off the 60-day disabled list on Monday, said he only required an extra day of rest occasionally, but otherwise hit all his marks. That was unlike anything he had experienced injury-wise after undergoing three knee surgeries since 2006.

And while the Padres' bullpen is temporarily in flux after everyone pitched in Sunday's 18-inning game, the group's overall stability has both Adams and manager Bud Black envisioning an uncomplicated return.

"It kept me at ease that I didn't have any setbacks especially with what I went through with my knees one after the other," Adams said. "… I'm glad with the way the guys are throwing the last couple of weeks. It makes it easier on me."

When Adams was promoted in May 2008, Black was looking for anybody with a pulse to pitch late in games. Adams delivered with a 2.48 ERA and 74 strikeouts over 65 1/ 3 innings and the Padres believed they had a late-innings candidate for 2009.

October's surgery meant Adams would miss the first third of the season, however, further complicated the team's need for experience after Trevor Hoffman departed via free agency. But after a long rough patch in April and May, the Padres are receiving contributions throughout their green bullpen.

"It's a nice situation with how (Edward) Mujica, (Luke) Gregerson, (Greg) Burke and (Heath) Bell are throwing that we add another guy of (Adams) caliber in the mix it's pretty good every night," Black said. "If those guy continue to throw as they have been, (they) will all get work in important games. So I don't think there's a tremendous amount of urgency to throw right him into the eighth inning every single chance we get."

Except for Monday. Especially after Sunday's marathon.

Adams, who arrived from Triple-A Portland with pitchers Edwin Moreno and Wade LeBlanc, said he's starting to see the rust wear off after eight minor league appearances. And though he's not quite where he wants to be, Adams expects a boost from pitching in the big leagues.

"I'm not going to say (command) is completely there, but it's almost there. My last two outings, my stuff got better," Adams said. "I'd imagine going back to the big league mound, with the atmosphere and everything going on … A lot of it has to do with atmosphere. Your level jumps up also."

Wilson impresses

Other than his two big previous big league appearances, Josh Wilson hadn't pitched since high school. And even though he took the loss in Sunday's game, Wilson earned the respect of several paid pitchers -- Shawn Hill and Chris Young. The two watched the shortstop, whose father Mike Wilson is the pitching coach at Duquense University, and came away impressed with his form and game plan.

"Most guys aren't thinking like that," Hill said. "He didn't look like he was lost out there. He was more than just throwing down the middle."

Et cetera

RHP Chad Gaudin won't start in Los Angeles on Wednesday after throwing 37 pitches on Sunday. Manager Bud Black said the team was still working on who might start in Gaudin's place. … SS Luis Rodriguez (sprained ankle) returned to the club after two rehab games to be re-evaluated. Black said Rodriguez might return to Single-A Lake Elsinore for two more games. … SS Chris Burke was outrighted to Triple-A Portland to make room on the team's active roster. LHP Joe Thatcher was optioned back to Portland and RHP Luis Perdomo was placed on the disabled list with a left knee strain. … After previous pitching appearances with Tampa Bay and Arizona, SS Josh Wilson became the first position player to pitch for three different teams since John Cangelosi, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.