--RHP Cha Seung Baek, who is penciled-in as the No. 3 starter, is struggling through spring training. He allowed nine runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings March 24 against the Angels, raising his Cactus League ERA to 9.95.

--RHP Shawn Hill signed a minor league deal with the Padres on March 23, and he will be given a chance to make the team's big-league rotation. Hill, 27, was released by the Nationals last week after three injury-plagued seasons.

--RHP Josh Geer, who had been a candidate for Padres rotation, was optioned to Class AAA Portland. Geer posted a 10.43 ERA this spring.

--RHP Luke Gregerson was acquired by the Padres as the player to be named in the Khalil Greene trade. Gregerson, 24, spent last season in Class AA, going 7-6 with 10 saves and a 3.35 ERA in 57 relief appearances. Although Gregerson has never appeared in Class AAA, the Padres view him as a candidate to make the bullpen this spring, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

--1B Adrian Gonzalez had a novel idea upon returning to the Padres after Mexico was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic. "I think I should return to the WBC with the United States," said Gonzalez after learning Team USA 1B Kevin Youkilis was out with an injury. "Why not? I grew up right along the U.S./Mexico border," said the San Diego County native.

--RHP Mark Worrell will have elbow reconstruction surgery March 25. Worrell, 26, had a 4.15 ERA in four exhibition outings with the Padres. He was 3-3 with a 2.15 ERA in 53 appearances with the Cardinals' Class AAA Memphis squad last season and 0-1 with a 7.94 ERA in four appearances with St. Louis. Worrell was obtained in the December trade that sent SS Khalil Greene to the Cardinals. The "Tommy John" surgery will be performed by Padres team physicians Jan Fronek and Heinz Hoenecke.

--RHP Chris Young was scratched from his scheduled March 18 start due to elbow tendinitis. "I could have pitched, and if it wasn't spring training, I would have," Young said. "But there is no need to risk anything right now. I'm not concerned. I go through this every season at this time.

--RHP Duaner Sanchez, 29, got $750,000 to sign with the Padres after being released by the Mets. Although the Dominican Republic native grew up in New York City, he said he is excited about returning to the West Coast, where he played with the Dodgers. "First of all, I love pitching in Petco Park," Sanchez said. "And I love it here and the people out here on the West Coast." Last season with the Mets, Sanchez was 5-1 with a 4.32 ERA in 66 games.

--RHPs Heath Bell and Cla Meredith are the only two relievers who have clinched spots in the seven-man bullpen with just over two weeks remaining in spring training. Black has praised the work of three other relievers -- RHPs Jae Kuk Ryu and Edwin Moreno and LHP Arturo Lopez. The latter two are non-roster camp invitees. However, Ryu was claimed off waivers by the Indians on March 26.

--RHP Kevin Correia apparently has the inside track on the No. 4 starting spot behind RHPs Jake Peavy, Chris Young and Cha Seung Baek. Correia had a start pushed back so that he could be slotted into the No. 4 spot. Correia was tagged for four runs on eight in 4 2/3 innings March 20 against the Cubs. After five starts, Baek had a 7.53 ERA this spring, while Correia's ERA was 6.53 after three starts.

--LHP Wade LeBlanc and RHP Chris Britton, two pitchers who appeared to have strong shots at the Opening Day roster when spring training opened, were among 11 players sent to the minor league camp March 17. LeBlanc had a 10.50 ERA this spring. Britton, a former Yankee, was given the option of seeking employment with another team.

BY THE NUMBERS: $750,000 -- The amount paid RHP Duaner Sanchez by the Padres. $750,000 -- The amount offered LHP Will Ohman by the cash-strapped Padres. $2 million -- The amount sought by Ohman, who won't be pitching for the Padres unless he comes off that number.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We're hoping his velocity comes back. He's still throwing in the high 80s and has a plus-plus changeup and an average slider." -- Padres general manager Kevin Towers on the signing of RHP Duaner Sanchez, once a mid-90s thrower whose fastball lost some steam after he had shoulder surgery in 2006.