--Brothers Adrian and Edgar Gonzalez are facing a busy schedule even before the 2009 season begins. From Feb. 2-7, the brothers will be playing for Mexican Winter League champion Mazatlan in the Caribbean Series in Mexicali. Mazatlan will be playing the champions from Venezuela, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic in the double round-robin series -- which will be played in the Baja California city just south of El Centro, Calif.
And the Gonzalez brothers are both on Mexico's World Baseball Classic roster and could be playing on their home turf of Petco Park if Mexico reaches the second round. "We're really excited about both opportunities," said first baseman Adrian, who was also named the Padres MVP for 2008. --The Padres have made a change to their season-opening homestand. Instead of a day off on the second day of the season, the Padres are opening with four straight games April 6-9 against the Dodgers. The Tuesday game was originally scheduled at Petco Park on Thursday, Oct. 1, but was moved due to a traveling problem facing the Dodgers in October.
--The Padres will be host to their inaugural Padres Fan Day at Petco Park on April 5, the eve of the season. The new program replaces the annual January FanFest, a weekend event that featured autograph sessions and had become a popular event with Padres fans. FanFest was canceled for financial and scheduling problems. Fan Day will be a free admission event at Petco Park to include autograph sessions around the Padres final preseason workout as well as a garage sale benefiting the Padres Foundation.
--RHP Mark Prior is working out at Petco Park and already throwing from the mound. "Mark is well ahead of where he was last year at this time," said Padres general manager Kevin Towers. After last year's comeback attempt ended with a second round of shoulder surgery, Prior signed a minor league contract to return to the Padres this season. "Were Mark to make it back, he would be our ace in the hole," said Towers, who has struck paydirt before with such rehabbing pitchers as David Wells.
--RHP Virgil Vasquez, who was designated for assignment when the Padres signed free agent C Henry Blanco last week, was claimed on waivers by Pittsburgh. The Padres had claimed Vazquez on waivers from Boston on Jan. 9. With the signing of Blanco, the Padres needed to move Vasquez to make room on the 40-man roster.
BY THE NUMBERS: 60 -- Players the Padres expect in their spring training camp, including 35 pitchers.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think we can have a good season. I like the direction we're taking. I think it would be great if we got off to a good start. It would give us some confidence." -- Padres CEO Sandy Alderson on his hopes for 2009 following the 99-loss season of 2008.
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