--RHP Mark Prior, 28, who missed all of the 2008 season and had a second round of shoulder surgery, has accepted a minor league contract with the Padres that includes a $1 million guaranteed salary for 2009 only if he makes the major league roster. Prior signed a $1 million guaranteed contract with the Padres for 2008 but never pitched in the majors or minors after suffering considerable pain in the shoulder that was also surgically repaired in 2007. Prior underwent a second round of shoulder surgery last June 4 to repair the capsule.
"Mark Prior has some unfinished business here," agent John Boggs told the San Diego Union-Tribune about his client, a San Diego high school product. "If he was going to come back anywhere, it was probably going to be San Diego." Boggs said Prior has started throwing "lightly" from the mound. Prior last pitched in 2006 when he was 1-6 with a 7.21 ERA in nine starts (35 innings) with the Cubs.
--RHP Jae Kuk Ryu was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay, where he worked 1 1/3 innings last season. The South Korean native has appeared in 28 major league games, posting a 1-3 record and 7.49 ERA.
--RHP Virgil Vasquez, 26, was claimed off waivers from the Red Sox, who had claimed him off waivers from the Tigers last Oct. 28. Vasquez was 12-12 with a 4.81 ERA with the Tigers' Class AAA affiliate at Toledo last season. He tied for the International League lead with two shutouts.
--INF Chris Burke, 28, signed a minor league contract with the Padres. Burke, 28, hit .194 with two homers in 165 at-bats for Arizona last season. He played all four infield spots and both corner outfield spots. If he makes the major league team, Burke would earn $650,000. "I think he has a good shot," Padres general manager Kevin Towers said.
--RHP Heath Bell, who is the heir apparent to Trevor Hoffman to be the Padres' closer, has filed for arbitration. Bell and the Padres had apparently reached an agreement before the end of the 2008 season, but the contract was never signed by the Padres.
--Brothers 1B Adrian Gonzalez and 2B Edgar Gonzalez have joined Mazatlan of the Mexican Winter League with the goal of helping the team reach the Caribbean World Series, which is being played in Mexicali, Mexico, Feb. 2-7. Mexicali is 110 miles east of San Diego and Tijuana. The Gonzalez brothers have also notified Mexican officials of their desire to play in the World Baseball Classic.
BY THE NUMBERS: 0 -- Big-league appearances for RHP Mark Prior in the past two seasons.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Mark Prior has some unfinished business here. If he was going to come back anywhere, it was probably going to be San Diego." -- Agent John Boggs, to the San Diego Union-Tribune, on his client re-signing with his hometown team.
