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News » San Diego Padres Notes, Quotes 2009-04-04


San Diego Padres Notes, Quotes 2009-04-04


San Diego Padres Notes, Quotes 2009-04-04
--Eight of the 13 pitchers on the Padres' projected Opening Day roster were not on the 40-man roster going into spring training -- and four were not in camp.

During spring training, the Padres traded for RHP Eulogio De La Cruz, signed RHPs Shawn Hill and Duaner Sanchez after they were released and purchased RHP Edward Mujica from the Indians.

Entering camp as minor league free agents were RHPs Kevin Correia, Walter Silva and Edwin Moreno and LHP Arturo Lopez.

Correia, Hill and Silva will open the season in the rotation, while the other five will be in the bullpen.

Only four Padres pitchers -- starters Jake Peavy and Chris Young and relievers Heath Bell and Cla Meredith -- were on the 2008 Opening Day roster.

--RHP Cha Seung Baek, who suffered a right forearm strain on March 29, will open the season on the disabled list.

"It will probably be a week before he can play catch," manager Bud Black said Friday afternoon. "It will probably be toward the end of the month before he is ready, and he'll need at least one rehab start."

Baek was to be the Padres' No. 3 starter. With him sidelined, the rotation to open the season will be Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Mexican League free agent Walter Silva, Correia and Hill.

--INF Edgar Gonzalez secured the final spot on the roster among position players when infielder Chris Burke was traded to Seattle.

--Black expects OF-PH Cliff Floyd to open the season on the active roster although the veteran has been troubled recently by a slight muscle strain in his right side.

--Black said "decisions are still to be made" about the final couple of spots in the bullpen with De La Cruz perhaps the most susceptible after a bad outing in Arizona on Thursday.

Black said RH Luke Gregerson, whom the Padres acquired from St. Louis two weeks ago to complete the trade for SS Khalil Greene, "is still in the mix."

--RHP Edward Mujica, who had an 8.10 ERA in Cactus League action, was dealt from the Indians to the Padres for a player to be named or cash. The 24-year-old will open the season in the San Diego bullpen. In 33 relief appearances for Cleveland last year, Mujica had a 6.75 ERA.

--1B Kyle Blanks, a spring phenom who led the team with four homers, was reassigned to the Padres' minor league camp. Seeing extensive action while 1B Adrian Gonzalez was away at the World Baseball Classic, Blanks batted .319 in Cactus League play.

--LHP Justin Hampson, who has made a combined 74 appearances out of the Padres bullpen the past two seasons, was released on April 1. He allowed 13 runs (12 earned) in 10 2/3 innings this spring. MLB.com reported that he was likely to sign a minor league deal with San Diego.

--OF Drew Macias was optioned to Class AAA Portland after hitting .294 in spring training. Macias had four hits in 20 at-bats with the Padres last year.

--RHP Jae Kuk Ryu, claimed off waivers by the Indians last week, was returned to the Padres on April 1. San Diego subsequently released him. Padres GM Kevin Towers told MLB.com that the Indians didn't like something they saw on Ryu's physical.

--LHP Cesar Ramos, who was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason, was optioned to Class AAA Portland after getting hit hard in spring training. He allowed 17 runs in 14 Cactus League innings.

--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.


Author:Fox Sports
Author's Website:http://www.foxsports.com
Added: April 4, 2009

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