Great first day at Padres spring training, starting immediatley with the new upgraded complex. I’ve truly never seen a spring training facility quite like it. The playing fields and outside training areas are basically the same, but the interior of the building was completely overhauled, enlarged, and made state of the art. The clubhouse reminds me of a cathedral with a large oval shape, very high ceilings, and windows at the far end allowing natural light to stream in. The training room facilities were completely upgraded and enlarged with the major league and minor league areas separated in the middle by multiple therapy pools. There are new video rooms, media work areas, conference rooms, interview rooms, and administrative offices as well, and a large upstairs deck that overseas the complex. In total it is an upgrade to the facility that not only functionally allows the players, coaches, trainers, and front office staff to go about their business more comfortably and efficiently, but also provides a boost in morale, and point of pride for everyone in the organization.
There was no official workout for the pitchers and catchers in camp. Most of the guys were getting their pre-season physicals out of the way, and roaming around getting the lay of the land in their new digs.
Had a nice chat with Casey Kelly who by all accounts continues to progress very smoothly in his rehab from TJ surgery at the end of last spring. He has been long tossing and is scheduled to do more throwing from the mound soon. He will participate in all the spring training drills without any restrictions. If all continues to go well he could be on the mound competing full throttle by May.
Buddy mentioned that Yasmani Grandal has been looking good in the agility drills that he has been doing so far here in the early going. Yas is fully expecting to be ready for opening day, and while the reality is that may still be a little optimistic, there is certainly a legitimate chance that it could happen.
When asked about Andrew Cashner, and any innings limits that might be in place as there was last year, Buddy’s answer was that there are no limits planned. However, he did point out that it is different pitching starting from February as cash will be doing this year, unlike last year when he missed time early on with a hunting accident induced thumb injury. He did finish strong last year, so the hope is that even with the anticipated added work load from the very start this year that he will still be fine in October.
Josh Johnson on the other hand will be held back a little from the early throwing program that the rest of the pitchers will be on. He will still throw bullpens but likely be given a little extra time off in between those workouts to ease his elbow back into action after having chips and spurs removed in October. Last year he apparently felt fine early the season, but became hampered by the chips that would allow him to feel fine one outing, and achey the next. He threw a bullpen today and apparently felt fine. The Pads are anticipating that he will be ready for opening day, and a healthy Johnson should be a huge addition to the rotation.
Other pitchers that were mentioned by Buddy today included highly touted top prospect Matt Wisler, newly acquired Jesse Hahn (trade with TB), LHP Patrick Schuster acquired from HOU after they selected him in the Rule V draft, and rising prospect Keyvius Sampson.
One pitcher who is not in camp yet is new LHP Alex Torres, who is apparently having visa issues in Venezuela. There is no hard date for his arrival at this point.
The main action on the field today was the tryout of two Cuabn players, Aldemys Diaz and Odrisamer Despaigne, that drew a herd of about 40 scouts. The Pads pitchers and catchers will officially get after it for the first time tomorrow. Looking forward to hearing the sound of those cathcers’ mitts popping!
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