--Desperate for pitching, the Padres acquired three pitchers from outside the system in the span of three days. First to arrive on March 24 was RHP Luke Gregerson, who was acquired to complete the offseason trade that sent SS Khalil Greene to the Cardinals. Then the Padres signed RHP Shawn Hill, who was cut by Washington. Finally, they sent cash or a player to be named to Florida to acquire RHP Eulogio De La Cruz.

--RHP Eulogio De La Cruz, 26, gives the Padres a power arm that the club has been lacking. The 5-foot-11, 177-pounder has a mid- to high-90s fastball and had hit 100 mph several times this spring on the Marlins' gun. He was 13-8 with a 4.34 ERA for Class AAA Albuquerque last season, but he has a 13.21 ERA over 12 games in two stints in the major leagues. "He has a big arm and a good changeup," Padres general manager Kevin Towers said. "He has walks in his past," added Padres manager Bud Black.

--3B Kevin Kouzmanoff missed four days of action after feeling a "twinge" in his left side during his first at-bat March 22. "It's not anything major," manager Bud Black said. Kouzmanoff returned to action March 27.

--RHP Luke Gregerson was acquired by the Padres to complete the trade that sent SS Khalil Greene to the Cardinals. The Padres' other acquisition in the deal, RHP Mark Worrell, had "Tommy John" elbow reconstruction surgery March 25. GM Kevin Towers said Gregerson stood a good chance of opening the season in the Padres bullpen even though he has never pitched above Class AA before. "He has a wipeout slider," Towers said of the 6-foot-3 Gregerson, who was a Texas League All-Star last season.

--The Padres scored 14 first-inning runs in a span of seven games. However, they lost all six games in which they took an early lead.

--RHP Jake Peavy was the subject of trade rumors involving Milwaukee (where former teammates and friends Mike Cameron and Trevor Hoffman now play) as soon as he arrived back in the Padres' camp from the World Baseball Classic.

--RHP Shawn Hill was signed as a free agent a week after he was released by Washington. The scouting report on Hill praises his stuff but is filled with questions about the health of his right arm. "We're aware of what we're getting into," Padres GM Kevin Towers said. "His injuries have been a little bit of everything. Certainly, there is some risk."

Said Hill: "I've had arm issues. I don't know if I'm in the clear, although I think I've turned the corner."

Hill had elbow reconstruction surgery in 2004, radial nerve decompression surgery in 2007, two other cleansing procedures on his right elbow and a separated left shoulder in 2007 that led to forearm problems on his pitching arm. Hill made just 12 starts with the Nationals last year and was 1-5 with a 5.83 ERA.

BY THE NUMBERS: 7.07 -- Padres' spring training ERA through March 27, worst in the majors. 7.63 -- ERA of projected No. 4 starter Kevin Correia through March 27. 9.95 -- ERA of No. 3 starter Cha Seung Baek through March 27.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I know it is spring training, but there are certain things I'd like to see. His first two outings were outstanding, then he had some lapses." -- Manager Bud Black on RHP Cha Seung Baek after the Padres' No. 3 starter gave up nine runs on as many hits in 4 2/3 innings against the Angels.