The Padres' offense probably will be a bit improved over last year. The pitching, however, was a mess. Three arms were brought in from outside the organization in late March.
PLAYER NEWS: --RHP Kevin Correia, a San Diego native, made his Padres debut Thursday afternoon and gave up three runs on five hits over six innings. "There have always been signs that I was meant to pitch for the Padres," said Correia, who roomed with Greg Bochy, the son of former Padres manager Bruce Bochy, while at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
--SS Luis Rodriguez equaled his career record by walking three times Thursday before he drove in the winning run with an eighth-inning double. After four games, Rodriguez is tied for the Padres lead in RBIs with two.
--1B Adrian Gonzalez struck out three times Thursday before hitting a home run.
--RHP Heath Bell got his second save in three games Thursday despite giving up a lead-off triple to Orlando Hudson while protecting a one-run lead. Bell got Manny Ramirez to ground out to short, then got Russell Martin to ground into a game-ending double play after walking Andre Ethier.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Mark Prior (right shoulder surgeries in April 2007 and June 2008) was progressing as the Padres broke camp. "If he's healthy, Mark's my ace in the hole," Padres general manager Kevin Towers said. If Prior continues to advance, he could join the Padres in May.
OF Cliff Floyd (right shoulder strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 5.
RHP Cha Seung Baek (strained right forearm) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 30.
RHP Mike Adams (right shoulder surgery in October 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list April 2, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 5. He had not resumed throwing from the mound as of March 27.
RHP Mark Worrell (Tommy John elbow surgery in March 2009) went on the 15-day disabled list April 2, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 5. He is out for the season.
ROTATION:
1. RHP Jake Peavy
2. RHP Chris Young
3. RHP Walter Silva
4. RHP Kevin Correia
5. RHP Shawn Hill
BULLPEN:
RHP Heath Bell (closer)
RHP Cla Meredith
RHP Duaner Sanchez
RHP Luke Gregerson
RHP Edward Mujica
RHP Eulogio De La Cruz
RHP Edwin Moreno
LINEUP:
1. CF Jody Gerut
2. 2B David Eckstein
3. RF Brian Giles
4. 1B Adrian Gonzalez
5. 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff
6. LF Chase Headley
7. C Nick Hundley
8. SS Luis Rodriguez
RESERVES:
C Henry Blanco
OF Drew Macias
OF Scott Hairston
INF Everth Cabrera
INF Edgar Gonzalez
