Greetings from a slightly-soggy Peoria, where it rains about as often as it does in San Diego.

After missing the rain Saturday and getting the first full-squad workout in, the Padres weren’t quite so lucky on Sunday.

The hitters were able to get their cuts in the covered cages but the Padres — on what was to be a light day to begin with — had their workout cut short because of the rain.

On Monday, position players will take aim at the pitchers on the practice fields here, giving them their first live look at the pitchers who have been here for a week.

To this point, just about everyone has thrown a bullpen three times. Closer Heath Bell hasn’t, as the team is being very cautious because of the strained left calf he suffered on Monday. By the way, Bell is fine and will likely be cleared for full workouts in the early part of the week.

I had a chance to talk to Casey Kelly today. I’ve watched him throw twice in the bullpen and each time have come away thinking that his mechanics look really smooth and his throwing motion looks pretty much effortless for a guy not far removed from his days as a shortstop.

Here’s the link to the story and video I shot on Kelly today.

Veteran catcher Gregg Zaun, who I talked to for a story earlier this week, is fun to listen to each morning. You can tell this guy enjoys playing and talking baseball. I’ve observed him on at least three occasions working with Nick Hundley in the bullpen. Anyway, Zaun provided the line of the spring so far today when, as he was talking about the beating his body takes in a season due to blocked balls, foul tips, he said this:

“By mid-May, you feel like tenderized meat,” Zaun said.

Good stuff.

Chase Headley is here in camp looking stronger. He’s weighing 222 pounds, up from the 212 he weighed a year ago at this time. He said his playing weight got down to 201-202 pounds a year ago when he wore out toward the end of the season. We talked mostly of his struggled hitting right-handed last season. He thinks that he’ll be better from that side in 2011.

I had the chance to talk to former Padres general manager Kevin Towers this week. I wanted to ask him about Tim Stauffer for a story that ran the other day. Towers, of course, was the GM when the Padres drafted Stauffer in 2003. Towers was very impressed with Stauffer last season. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one.

“I was talking to [Giants manager Bruce] Bochy, and he said the guy we didn’t want to face the
most on that staff was Stauff. This guy has become a bona fide pitcher in the National
League,” — Towers said.

Left-handed reliever Randy Flores is here in camp on a Minor League deal and will be given a chance to win a spot in the seven-man bullpen, which would presumably give the Padres two left-handed relievers (the other being Joe Thatcher). Bud Black, in his first five seasons with the team, has shown that he won’t carry a left-handed pitcher just for the sake of it. If Flores is one of the best seven relievers around at the end of camp, he’ll make the team. If not, then he will provide depth at Triple-A Tucson.

Anyway, that should bring you up to speed. Remember, for all your Padres news, head to Padres.com and don’t forget you can follow along at Facebook and on Twitter.

– Corey

Happy Thursday from Peoria, where the clubhouse is starting to get a little more crowded, as more and more position players are showing up in advance of their report date on Friday when they’ll have physicals.

At this point, it’s actually easier to point out who isn’t here as opposed to who is here. By my watch, Will Venable, Luis Durango, Oscar Salazar, Cedric Hunter, Juedy Valdez and Jesus Guzman are the only position players who have not shown up informally to hit.

What does this mean? Nothing. They’re all expected to be here tomorrow, where they’ll join the pitchers and catchers for the first full-squad workout on Saturday.

As for updates, notes, observations …

– I talked briefly with Anthony Rizzo today. He arrived last night. He’ll take part in his first big league camp and figures to get some at-bats in Cactus League games. I had forgotten how big he was. Seriously, Rizzo looks like he should be playing linebacker somewhere. I’m really curious to watch him hit. I’ll make sure to let you know when I do.

– Sounds like new second baseman Orlando Hudson had a unique routine. Unique in the sense that it’s an early one — like he arrived before just about anyone. I’ve heard that he’s already shown up at 5:30 a.m. And position players haven’t reported yet! I get to the facility early, but not that early.

– Heath Bell is on the mend. He rode a stationary bike yesterday and played catch. I just watched him play catch this morning. He’s walking without a limp. In other words, he is pretty close to being cleared for full workouts, which will include throwing off the mound. If you heard otherwise, like, say, he has a “tear” … well, that information is just plain wrong.

– Padres manager Bud Black told me today that he expects switch-hitting third baseman Chase Headley will be much better right-handed than he was a year ago. Headley, who happens to be a natural right-handed hitter, hit .217 last season against lefties. He hit .285 as a left-handed hitter. Said Black: “He’s a good baseball player. He’s going to have a good year.” Newcomer Jorge Cantu will spell Headley on occasion at third base. Headley was worn down physically at the end of last season and the Padres didn’t have anyone else to use at third base. They want to avoid that this year.

– In case you missed it, here’s a few links to catch up on: Nick Hundley assumes the primary catching duties, Trevor Hoffman is back in camp and the Padres signed veteran pitcher Geoff Geary to a Minor League deal.

– Corey

 

Good morning from Peoria. Here’s a few things to get you caught up on what’s been going on here the last day or so.

– Closer Heath Bell is doing better after suffering a strained left calf  Monday. He played catch Wednesday and was heading off to ride a stationary bike (lightly) for a bit. Bell is hoping to be cleared for more activity by the weekend. He doesn’t think it’s serious.

– The Padres have signed right-handed pitcher Geoff Geary to a Minor League contract. That deal doesn’t include a Major League invitation to camp, so he’ll report with the Minor League pitchers on March 4. Geary has a 3.92 ERA over seven Major League seasons. He’ll pitch for Triple-A Tucson.

– Also, the Padres have released infielder Gregorio Petit, who signed as a Minor League free agent in December. Petit, who was to report Friday as an NRI (non-roster invitee) apparently blew out his knee during winter ball and was lost for the upcoming season.

– Bullpen coach Darrel Akerfelds is back in camp after missing Tuesday to be in San Diego for blood work and chemotherapy treatment as he continues his fight with pancreatic cancer. Akerfelds, to date, has had six treatments. He could miss subsequent days for treatments.

– Talked to pitcher Aaron Harang about returning to his native San Diego, his new twins and what happened in 2008 when he overtaxed his arm while with the Reds that led to messed up mechanics. He is looking forward to working with pitching coach Darren Balsley to get him back to where he was when he won 16 games in consecutive seasons with the Reds. The story has some video (shot my myself) with Harang talking about pitching for his hometown team.

– Also, despite the losses of five relief pitchers in trades that landed Cameron Maybin and Jason Bartlett, the Padres aren’t worried about what some might consider a lack of depth. Could Ernesto Frieri earn more important innings? What kind of impact will newcomer Chad Qualls have?

As always, head to Padres.com and @FollowThePadres on Twitter for all your Padres news.

– Corey

Well, that essentially sums up the morning session here in Peoria, where pitchers and catchers — fresh off their physicals — took part in this first workout.

That entailed PFP (pitchers fielding practice), other assorted drills and pitchers throwing off the mound for the first time. I watched a group that included Simon Castro, Aaron Harang and Mat Latos. I wish I could tell you about their session, but, honestly for the first day, it all looked the same to me.

Speaking of Latos, I cornered him in the morning to talk about how he won’t be watched quite as much as far as workload this season. Remember how we talked all spring and into the regular season about how many innings he was going to pitch? I won’t miss that.

Also, I watched Casey Kelly throw. Looks like a smooth, effortless delivery. Again, these guys aren’t ramping things up on the first day. That’s smart. There’s a long ways to go and since the six weeks here is all for the pitchers (trust me … position players don’t need six weeks to prepare for the seasons).

In other news, I saw Chris Denorfia here. He’s reported early. I even saw a “Go Go Gadget” t-shirt hanging in his locker. Denorfia is a good guy and a good old-fashioned success story, having missed an entire season after having elbow surgery. He had a nice year and will again be the fourth outfielder.

Also, we got a chance to talk to bullpen coach Darrel Akerfelds about his pancreatic cancer. In fact, after morning workouts Monday, Ak flew back to San Diego for his sixth round of chemotherapy. He’s hoping the tumor has shrunk to the point where he can have surgery to remove it. He’ll likely miss a day or two this spring for treatments or to rest. But he said his strength is good now and he’s had few side effects from chemotherapy.

If you’re worried that the Padres traded away too many relief pitchers to land Jason Bartlett and Cameron Maybin, well, manager Bud Black isn’t. “I think we’re going to be fine,” Black said. “I don’t view that as being a vulnerable area.” There are 32 total pitchers in camp and Black thinks there’s good depth within that group, pitchers who will not only make the 25-man Opening Day roster but quality depth in Triple-A in case the Padres need an arm.

– Corey Brock

Pitchers and catchers reported to the Peoria Sports Complex on Sunday, though they did little more than take their physicals. Still, it made for a busy clubhouse that figures to be even more crowded later in the week when position players report.

We’ve got all your Padres news, as always, up at Padres.com, so check over there for all of the details from today (and as we move forward). And, of course, check Twitter right here.

A few observations from today:

* Trevor Hoffman, now a special assistant with the Padres, looks like he’s still fit enough to pitch. That’s not a big leap, I know, considering he recently retired. But seeing him in his workout gear sort of reminded me of 2007 and 2008 when he was still closing games for the Padres. And get this: He’s rooming with his brother Glenn, the third base coach. It’s probably the first time they’ve done so since they were kids.

* You can tell that pitcher Aaron Harang is genuinely excited to be pitching for his hometown team. His wife Jennifer just had twins in December (and they’ve got a 4-year-old) so he said it’s nice to having to worry about how his wife and kids are getting along while he’s pitching hundreds of miles away. The twins, in case you’re wondering, were born on Dec. 17. Their names are Dustin and Kailey. The whole Harang clan will be in Peoria for Spring Training.

* Closer Heath Bell said that a deterrent to his 12-year-old daughter Jasmyne getting too boy crazy, he’s decided to grow out his hair into something that (he hopes) resembles a Justin Bieber cut. The thought process? If dad is wearing a Bieber cut, then Jasmyne wouldn’t like boys with similar haircuts. Get all that? Also, Bell said he was a little surprised that he wasn’t traded during the offseason.

* According to the Padres, each and every one of the pitchers and catchers expected here on Sunday have shown up. No VISA issues regarding any of the players, nor did anyone have any trouble crossing state lines.That’s always a good sign.

* The first on-field workout will be on the field Monday after a clubhouse meeting at 9 a.m. We will get manager Bud Black in the morning and pepper him with questions and start rolling from there.

– Corey Brock

Greetings friends and welcome back to the blog, which (I’ve decided) serves its best purpose during Spring Training.

We write a lot of stories at MLB.com and Padres.com and with the Twitter doing so well — hopefully you’re following along at @FollowThePadres — there’s not a whole lot left to blog.

Anyway, Spring Training is a different beast, of course. So this will again be a spot to turn to for a few thoughts, observations, lineups for games and other newsy items. Things that I can provide you in the morning.

I report to Peoria on Saturday and pitchers and catchers will begin to show up on Sunday. I  promise to have an entry each day.

What do you want from this blog this spring?

In the meantime, I’ll leave you with this story that, as a reporter, I found very interesting. It deals with social media and the competitive nature of it all.

Corey

The surprising San Diego Padres have spent nearly every day atop the
National League West Division.

They have designs on remaining
there, which means they’re considering adding pieces to their 25-man
roster in advance of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

Padres
owner Jeff Moorad has said the team will consider adding payroll to
make a move. And last week, general manager Jed Hoyer, said they team is
looking at offensive additions as well as adding a starting pitcher.

“I
don’t feel like you’re ever all set,” Hoyer said. “I think we’re
looking on both sides [pitching and offense].”

Like any other
team, the Padres aren’t especially excited about parting with prospect
to make improvements to their current roster. That said, they might be
forced to part with some of their pitching depth to do so.

Finding
another starting pitcher makes sense for the Padres. Kevin Correia is
struggling. Chris Young, expected to be a key piece to the rotation, has
pitched once (in April, no less) and might be a long shot to return
this season.

Then there’s this: All-Star closer Heath Bell, who
makes $4 million and will be arbitration eligible again, could be a
piece the team could move. As reluctant as the Padres might be to break
up their dynamic 7-8-9 bullpen trio (Luke Gregerson, Mike Adams and Bell)
they could potentially land add a package of prospect/Major League ready
players for Bell’s services.

In other words, stay tuned. It
could be an interesting month in San Diego.

– Corey Brock
 

The Padres insist they haven’t come up with a set number of innings for Mat Latos this season, though I’m pretty sure it won’t top 180 and might be even less.

Manager Bud Black, who gets asked this question every two weeks or so, said on Monday that the team “will watch” Latos as we move forward into the summer as far as workload.

We’ve already seen a handful of times where Latos has pitched six innings in games where he clearly could have gone longer.

I think we could have our first case of the Padres skipping Latos in the rotation. The Padres are off on Thursday and again on Monday (travel day to Tampa). Latos, who pitches Tuesday, is set to pitch again Sunday against the Orioles.

The Padres could easily have Jon Garland come back on Sunday and skip Latos one time through the rotation. I’m not saying I’ve heard this or that is will happen. It’s just a thought to hang onto moving forward.

Another thing, as we head toward July and the All-Star break: The Padres have an off-day before starting their final trip before the break (July 5) and then, of course, they’re off for four days (July 12-15) before starting the second half.

Black could certainly reset his rotation for the second half then.

The Padres are in the process of getting Tim Stauffer stretched out to be a starter, in case of trade, injury, whatever. Remember, he was very good in that long role before that emergency appendectomy.

Also, Cesar Carrillo or Radhames Liz with Triple-A Portland are guys the Padres could look to when they want to give Latos a breather.

We’re not sure when that blow will happen, but we know that it will.

Corey Brock, MLB.com, Padres.com

OK, so that’s a really long headline, isn’t it?

Well, looking to capture the mood after the latest round of bad news involving Chris Young, it seems appropriate.

We’re not that removed from the end of Spring Training that I can’t remember when fans were calling for the Padres to deal from a position of strength — a rare position of strength, at that — and deal away pitcher Tim Stauffer.

Aren’t you glad they didn’t now?

It’s funny how we make sure a big deal about who is in the starting rotation to open the year but never really care much who will be in it on May 5, July 5 or when Oct. 1. The fact is the Padres explored dealing Stauffer but weren’t satisfied with the return haul they would get in return.

So they kept him, and, boy, they need him now. Not just Stauffer, mind you, but left-hander Wade LeBlanc, who had another quality outing on Tuesday, despite a few rough spots along the way.

The point is you can never have too much pitching. And no matter who begins the season in your rotation, it’s about who stays there. 

I’m not sure what will come of Young’s latest shoulder dilemma — no one is at this point, as MRI’s are being looked at and discussed. I will say this: I have a gut feeling it isn’t good.

We will know more in the coming days, but I fear we’ve seen the last of Young for a while.

I don’t know too many teams that can absorb the loss of one of their top pitchers. But these Padres might be able to do it, especially if LeBlanc continues to command his fastball and another young pitcher, 22-year-old Mat Latos, can string together several good starts.

I’ve read a lot about the Padres decision to move Chase Headley into the No. 4 spot in the lineup behind Adrian Gonzalez — where he’s performed well in a small sample size, such as Tuesday night — as the key turning point of the season.

I disagree. The turning point, for me, takes place every time a starting pitcher works into or past the sixth inning and turns in a quality start before turning the ball over to Luke Gregerson, Mike Adams and Heath Bell.

That will win you more games than anything else, especially at PETCO Park.

Speaking of pitching depth, consider what’s going on in Triple-A Portland. Radhames Liz is 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 21 innings. Will Inman finally looks to have figured things out on the command side. He’s 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA with 13 hits allowed in 21 innings. Even Cesar Carrillo (1-2, 3.24) is pitching well.

Remember these names. They weren’t in the starting rotation on April 5, but they’ll no doubt appear in the starting rotation at some point.

Story of the season so far? It’s pitching. There’s depth here, and from looks alone and from everything I’m hearing, it’s quality depth. That hasn’t happened here in a long time.

– Corey Brock, MLB.com