1

Padres Press Clips Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Article Source Author Page Padres’ Maurer moving back to bullpen UT San Diego Lin 2 Jankowski leaves game with ankle contusion UT San Diego Lin 5

What if? It’s only way to think positively about Padres UT San Diego Acee 7 Roster rankings: No. 8 Cory Spangenberg UT San Diego Sanders 10 Maurer ready to help bolster Padres’ bullpen MLB.com Boor 11 Padres eager to play Astros in Mexico City MLB.com Boor 13 Norris, Padres keep raking against Rangers MLB.com Boor 15 2016 MLB season preview: San Diego Padres SI.com Maiman 17 Norris, Cashner lead Padres to 17-5 win over Rangers Associated Press AP 20

2

Padres' Maurer moving back to bullpen Right-hander, who has started and relieved, had been candidate for rotation

By Dennis Lin | 11:05 a.m. March 22, 2016 | Updated, 1:24 p.m.

PEORIA, ARIZ. — The springtime experiment of re-branding Brandon Maurer as a

starter is officially over.

Manager Andy Green on Tuesday announced the Padres are moving Maurer, the

talented right-hander who'd been vying for a rotation job, back to the bullpen.

Righties Colin Rea and Brandon Morrow and left-handers Robbie Erlin and Drew

Pomeranz remain in competition for the two openings behind Tyson Ross, James

Shields and Andrew Cashner.

"We thought it was in our best interest going into today to thin the herd," Green said.

"We want to go ahead and get (Maurer) back acclimated to being in the bullpen,

putting him in a position where we think he's going to be very successful — he was

successful in that role last year.

"In light of how the other guys are throwing the ball and in light of what we think is

best for our bullpen — like, giving us a measure of stability back there — we just went

ahead and made that (decision)," Green added. "We wanted him to get to a position

where he starts throwing out of the 'pen so we don't wait till the last day of spring and

say, 'Hey, guess what, you're in the bullpen.' We just thought the time was right."

Green said Maurer's particular relief role will be determined in time.

Maurer admitted he was a "little bit" surprised when informed Monday of the Padres'

decision, but also said he agreed with the move. He is scheduled to pitch in

Wednesday's matchup with the Chicago White Sox (Pomeranz will make his first

official start of the spring).

"(I'll) go out there, one inning, and kind just put it all on the line," Maurer said. "I

think it'll help. I know that I can hit my spots, letting it rip, too, which I think is

something special. I'm looking forward to it."

3

Maurer came up in the Seattle Mariners' system as a promising starter prospect, but

he struggled upon his call-up in 2013 and was shifted to the bullpen full-time the next

summer. He thrived in a lower-leverage role, and two Decembers ago, the Padres

acquired him by trading outfielder Seth Smith.

Primarily pitching the seventh inning, Maurer continued to be effective last year. Near

the middle of the season, he approached the Padres' front office about his desire to

start again. Shoulder inflammation effectively ended his season in August, and plans

of a transition were temporarily shelved. He finished the year 7-4 with a 3.00 ERA in

53 appearances.

The Padres greenlighted another opportunity to start over the offseason. Maurer

added 15 pounds of muscle and began reintegrating his curveball, a fourth pitch. He

entered spring looking like a prime candidate to start.

But one month into spring training, the results had not boded well. In his spring

debut, Maurer allowed five runs in 1 1/3 innings. His next start went more smoothly;

he threw three innings of one-run ball.

Friday, Maurer surrendered 10 runs on nine hits, including three home runs, while

recording just four outs. It was later revealed that he had been suffering from the flu

during the game.

"When you look at him, it was a fastball-slider combination with an occasional

change-up last year," Green said. "We tried to get him toward a four-pitch mix (this

spring). I think some guys are just more suited to come in and let it rip and let it go.

We saw (Friday) — granted, he was a little sick — his velocity was down to the 89-91

(mph) range somewhat consistently. This is a guy that pitches at 92 to 96, and with

life on the ball.

"I think in the bullpen, he can just come out and let it go, and the slider plays very,

very well. He's got a 'kill' pitch. That's a very powerful weapon to have."

Maurer said he plans to shelve his curveball and focus on honing his other pitches.

Asked where he envisioned he might work, he said: "I'd assume back end (of the

4

bullpen), but who knows. I don't even know what we have for our 'pen yet. We'll have

to wait and see."

Green indicated closer Fernando Rodney, Carlos Villanueva, Kevin Quackenbush and

non-roster lefty Matt Thornton currently are probable options for the Padres. A

number of less proven arms remain in camp.

"There's a lot of options there," Green said.

As for whether Maurer, still just 25, will ever receive another opportunity to start,

Green hinted that the pitcher's days of going back and forth between roles are likely

over.

"I don't have any anticipation of sliding him back into a starting role. I think we did

this because we feel like we have enough options," Green said. "...For the time being

and for the foreseeable future, Maurer's going to be in the bullpen."

5

Jankowski leaves game with ankle contusion Outfielder hit by pitch, leaves game after going first-to-third By Dennis Lin | 3:12 p.m. March 22, 2016 | Updated, 4:45 p.m.

PEORIA, ARIZ. — Padres center fielder Travis Jankowski exited Tuesday's game

against Texas with a left ankle contusion. No further update was immediately

available following the Padres' 17-5 victory, though the injury is not believed to be

serious.

Jankowski, who led off the bottom of the first with a single, stole second and scored,

was hit by a Colby Lewis pitch in the third. He stayed in the game but soon had to be

on the move; on second baseman Cory Spangenberg's ensuing double, Jankowski

went from first to third, where he came up limping.

He walked off the field moments later. Minor league outfielder Auston Bousfield took

his place.

Jankowski, 24, is hitting .267 (8-for-30) this spring with four steals. He made his

major league debut last August. In 34 games with the Padres, he hit .211 with two

home runs and two steals.

Padres mash Rangers

The Padres (7-12-2) stretched their first Cactus League winning streak to three games,

piling up 22 hits in the win over the Rangers.

Catcher Derek Norris (.344) went 2-for-4 with his first home run, and left fielder

Jabari Blash (.235) also went 2-for-4, with his third homer. Over the last three games,

the Padres have scored 12, eight and 17 runs.

"I think the guys are starting to swing better. Especially the guys we’re going to rely on

this year are getting more comfortable in the box," Padres manager Andy Green said.

"Sometimes what they’re asked to do early in camp, probably had the wheels turning

with guys early on; it was stuff they hadn’t been exposed to with (hitting coach Alan

Zinter). And now it seems like those guys are really buying in and seeing some

results."

6

Padres right-hander Andrew Cashner was efficient throughout six innings of two-run

ball. Cashner allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out four. He threw 52 of 67

pitches for strikes.

Cashner also doubled at the plate.

"I thought my sinker was really good again, got a lot of guys freezing front door with

the lefties," said Cashner, who has a 2.40 ERA through four starts. "Slider was good.

Still trying to work on my change-up a little bit; threw some good ones, but couple bad

ones. But (it was a) good spring outing.

Jose Pirela (.300) had three hits, as did Jemile Weeks, who came off the bench.

Weeks' Cactus League average is up to .484.

"He’s making people notice, isn’t he? Every single day out there, he has really good at-

bats and does something special," Green said of Weeks. "It’s hard to ignore at this

point in time. He’s doing a great job."

Another utility player, Alexi Amarista (.219), finished with two hits. Spangenberg

(.283) also had a pair of hits.

7

What if? It's only way to think positively about Padres It will take everything coming together for Friars to defy expectations By Kevin Acee | 4:01 p.m. March 22, 2016

What if?

Worthless words, so often, in sports.

But it’s all we have. And this is the time of year when it doesn’t feel like a waste to

invest in possibility. Even in improbability.

The Padres, it appears, are not going to be very good.

They finished 14 games below .500 last year and go forward without their slugging

percentage leader and their best reliever. They have an everyday lineup that appears

to be both too young and too old and a starting rotation topped by two guys who are in

perpetual potential mode and another guy whose arm might fall off at any time.

At least that’s what we think.

The statistical web site FanGraphs predicts the Padres will win 74 games, tied for

fifth-fewest in the National League. That is also the over-under mark for Vegas

oddsmakers. It will be just 73, says USA Today’s experts.

Spend an hour on the Internet and you won’t find anyone thinking the Padres will

finish higher than fourth out of the National League West’s five teams.

It is difficult to mount much of an argument

Projections in baseball are generally as true as in any sport. That is to say, there is no

such thing as prophecy – especially when it comes to predicting an up-and-comer.

In preseason predictions by CBS, Yahoo! and Sports Illustrated before the 2015

season, four of 15 experts picked the Toronto Blue Jays to win the American League

East, just one picked the Kansas City Royals to win the AL Central, and none of the 15

picked the New York Mets to win the National League East or the Texas Rangers to

win the AL West.

8

Just three of ESPN’s 88 experts picked the Royals, one picked the Mets, and the

Worldwide Leader went 0-for-88 on the Rangers.

It happens.

All those teams made significant upgrades at the trade deadline to help themselves.

But they got themselves into position to be buyers and make a postseason run because

the bulk of their pitching staffs and everyday lineups had either the type of season

they were expected to have – or better.

That just doesn’t seem to happen for the Padres.

But what if it did?

What if Jon Jay, who has hit .297 or higher in four of his six seasons, is back to the

2014 form that saw him hit .303 in 468 plate appearances. What if Matt Kemp can

approach his career batting average of .292 and his 162-game averages of 27 homers

and 94 RBI – and do more of that damage in April and May? What if Wil Myers is

healthy and does over 600 plate appearances what he did in 2013 in 373 plate

appearances, which would mean something like 20 homers and 85 RBI?

Why can’t Cory Spangenberg, who hit .271 with 21 RBI, 38 runs and nine stolen bases

in 345 plate appearances in 2015, take the next step? Same for Yangervis Solarte, who

turned a career-high 571 plate appearances into a career-best .270 average, 63 RBI

and 14 homers. And who’s to say better management of Derek Norris’ playing time

won’t get him back to his 2014 level of .270 with 55 RBI and 10 homers. Or maybe

better?

It might be pushing even the liberal bounds of optimism to suggest Melvin Upton will

be good for anything like his long-ago peak performances. But what about even four

years ago, when he hit .246, scored 78 runs and stole 31 bases? Still wouldn’t be worth

the salary, but it would be better than expected.

And the pitching staff, well, it just isn’t that big of a leap to think the top of the

starting rotation might actually be pretty good. Sure, it could be mediocre, or worse.

But that isn’t the kind of what ifs we’re contemplating here.

9

Tyson Ross has averaged 32 starts and has a 3.03 ERA in his first two full seasons as a

starter. James Shields has thrown at least 200 innings in nine straight seasons.

Andrew Cashner has too much stuff to give up believing what he’s shown in spurts can

be displayed over a season.

On the back end, is it all that preposterous to believe closer Fernando Rodney is not

capable of regaining some control and approaching all-star form? (He’s due. He had

48 saves in both 2012 and ’14.)

FanGraphs projects the Padres with the worst team batting average and second-worst

ERA among NL West teams. The site ranks the Padres’ hitters as third-worst in

baseball based on wins above replacement (WAR) and their pitchers 14th out of 30.

But what if the Padres can put it all together?

10

Roster rankings: No. 8 Cory Spangenberg Sizing up the players on the Padres’ 40-man roster By Jeff Sanders | 8 a.m. March 23, 2016

No. 8 Cory Spangenberg Position: Second baseman

2016 Opening Day age: 25

Contract status: Will make $517,700 in 2017; Will not be arbitration-eligible

until 2018.

Key stats: .271 avg., .333 OBP, .399 SLG, 4 HRs, 21 RBIs, 38 runs, 9 steals, 28

walks, 75 strikeouts, 345 PAs (108 games).

Trending: Up – The early part of his pro career derailed by concussions,

Spangenberg finally began realize his first-round potential during his first full

season in the majors. Finally settling in, the left-handed hitting Spangenberg hit

.294/.373/.460 after the All-Star break as he tapped into on-base skills that led

the Padres to taking him with the 10th overall pick in the 2011 draft.

Spangenberg was predominantly used against right-handed pitching and didn’t

showcase much power against left-handers (.309 slugging), but showed enough

balance against lefties (.273 avg.) and righties (.270 avg.) to think he could

handle starting role. On the bases, Spangenberg was successful in nine of his 13

steal attempts and could run quite a bit more as a starter after swiping as many

as 36 in 130 games in 2013 in the minors.

2016 outlook: With Jedd Gyorko traded out of town, the path is cleared for

Spangenberg to emerge at the starter at second base after spending his first two

years in the majors bouncing between second and third base and the outfield. In

the lineup, Spangenberg figures to hit near the top of the order if he continues

to approach his minor league on-base percentage (.354).

11

Maurer ready to help bolster Padres' bullpen Club feels right-hander's pitch arsensal is better-suited for relief role By William Boor / MLB.com | March 22nd, 2016

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Brandon Maurer came into camp hoping to win a spot in the Padres' rotation,

but he will start the season in the bullpen, a role he filled effectively last season.

The 25-year old right-hander made 21 starts over the first two years of his career, both with the

Mariners, but he pitched exclusively out of the bullpen and appeared in 53 games for the Padres

last season.

Behind Tyson Ross, James Shields and Andrew Cashner, the Padres have a pair of

openings in the rotation, and although Maurer had hoped to transition back into a starter, the

club feels he is better-suited as a reliever.

"We want to go ahead and get [Maurer] back acclimated to being in the bullpen, putting him in a

position where we think he's going to be very successful," manager Andy Green said. "He was

successful in that role last year, and in light of how the other guys are throwing the ball and in

light of what we think is best for our bullpen, giving us a measure of stability back there, we just

went ahead and made that [decision]."

While Maurer admits he was "a little bit" surprised by the decision, he did acknowledge that it

would be better for the team.

Maurer has made three starts this spring and the results were not what he'd been hoping for --

16 runs allowed in 5 2/3 innings. In his last start, Maurer was charged with 10 earned runs in 1

1/3 innings.

With Maurer in the 'pen, Colin Rea, Brandon Morrow, Robbie Erlin and Drew Pomeranz are

competing for a rotation spot.

Although Maurer's bullpen role is still to be determined, he was successful pitching the seventh

inning last season and said he feels he can repeat that success.

Maurer appeared in 27 seventh innings in 2015, posting a 3.00 ERA. Overall, he struck out 39 in

51 innings and his ability to strike people out is one thing Green likes in a late-inning reliever.

12

"He's got a kill pitch, that's a very powerful weapon to have," Green said. "If it is the seventh-

inning role and we reach for a reliever and there's guys on second and third, we've got a guy

that can punch somebody out, who can get through an inning quickly. Those are really nice

options to have as a manager."

Pitching out of the bullpen last season, Maurer primarily relied on his fastball and slider. Maurer

sometimes threw a changeup and this spring -- as part of his conversion to a starter -- he was

working on a curveball as well.

Now that Maurer is back in the bullpen, he is abandoning the curveball and is simply focusing on

the other pitches so that he can attack hitters.

"I know I can hit my spots letting it rip," Maurer said.

"He's got a lot of weapons, so for my sake and for [pitching coach] Darren Balsley's sake, it's

nice to have him in that capacity," Green said.

13

Padres eager to play Astros in Mexico City Green feels atmosphere at Fray Nano will seem like regular-season baseball By William Boor / MLB.com | March 22nd, 2016

PEORIA, Ariz. -- After a few weeks of Spring Training, the Padres are looking forward to a break from

the monotony and grind of the Cactus League.

And the two-game exhibition series against the Astros -- Saturday and Sunday in Mexico City at Estadio

Fray Nano, the home of the Diablos Rojos del Mexico -- will be anything but a typical spring contest.

"I think the atmosphere that we're expecting down there is going to make it feel like a regular-season

baseball game," Padres manager Andy Green said.

In an extensive effort to grow the game, the "Mexico City Series" will be the first time Major League

Baseball is played in Mexico since 2004 and will come just days after the Rays played a historic game in

Cuba against the Cuban National Team.

"Fans are from everywhere, they're not just from the U.S., so it's neat to be able to play in front of

different fans," said Cory Spangenberg, who will be visiting Mexico for the first time. "I think they

appreciate the game as much as U.S. citizens."

Fray Nano seats roughly 4,500 people, but will have an expanded capacity of roughly 8,000 for the

contests.

While the Padres have yet to reveal their entire roster for the Mexico City trip, Green has unveiled a few

names.

Spangenberg, Yangervis Solarte, Jon Jay and Alexei Ramirez will be among those making the trip,

while Puebla, Mexico, native Cesar Vargas will start one of the two games on the mound.

"I think it'll be good to get out of Arizona and play somewhere else, and I think everyone's excited about

it," Spangenberg said.

The trip is certain to be a memorable experience, but it is still a business trip for the players.

Spangenberg wants to enjoy his brief time in Mexico, but also knows he needs to get ready for the season.

14

"Definitely going to appreciate it, just seeing this Cuba game. I think it's going to be a great atmosphere,"

Spangenberg said. "But at the same time, it's another Spring Training game. You're there to work on stuff

to try and get ready for the season."

And even if the games don't count in the standings, the Padres' goals are simple. The club wants to win.

"We're going to compete to win those games," Green said.

• Padres right-hander James Shields was struck with a line drive in the left hamstring during Monday

night's win over the Reds, but he came out of the incident unscathed -- except for a "nice bruise," Green

said.

"We spent some time in the training room last night, kind of laughing about it," the skipper said. "He's a

magnet for the baseball sometimes, but he's as tough as any guy I've been around."

• Travis Jankowski left Tuesday's 17-5 win against the Rangers in the bottom of the third with a left-

ankle contusion sustained after being hit by a Colby Lewis pitch. Jankowski went from first to third on

Spangenberg's double and left the game immediately after as he had to be assisted to the dugout.

15

Norris, Padres keep raking against Rangers By William Boor / MLB.com | March 22nd, 2016

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Catcher Derek Norris left his mark all over the box score as he led the Padres

to a 17-5 win over Rangers on Tuesday afternoon in Cactus League action at Peoria Stadium.

Norris went 2-for-4 with a monster home run and four RBIs to raise his spring average to .344.

On defense, he threw out a pair of runners trying to steal.

Over their last three spring games, the Padres have scored 37 runs on 53 hits, and they scored

at least one run in seven of eight innings against the Rangers.

"I think the guys are starting to swing better, especially guys we are going to rely on this year,

getting more comfortable in the box," manager Andy Green said. "Sometimes what they're

asked to do early in camp, probably had their wheels turning a little, it was stuff they hadn't been

exposed to with [hitting coach] Alan [Zinter] and now it seems like those guys are really buying

in and we're seeing results." Norris' one mistake came in the first when he committed an error trying to catch aRobinson Chirinos popup, but Norris promptly caught Chirinos stealing to end the frame. Rougned Odor continued to hit at a torrid pace for the Rangers as his first-inning RBI double was his sixth hit in his last 11 at-bats. Odor promptly stole third, his third stolen base of the spring, and scored on Mitch Moreland's sacrifice fly.

Elvis Andrus also had a good day at the plate. The shortstop went 2-for-2 with a walk and is

now hitting .385 this spring. Andrus has also reached base in 15 of his 31 plate appearances

with 10 hits, four walks and a hit by pitch.

"That's what I'm looking for, go up there at-bat by at-bat and have a plan," Andrus said.

"Sometimes in the at-bat, I'm aggressive and sometimes, I'm trying to go deep in the count. It

depends on the situation. So far I feel good about my plan."

Texas' 2-0 lead didn't last long as the Padres hammered starter Colby Lewis, who gave up nine

runs on 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings.

16

Norris tied the score with a two-run homer, his first of the spring, in the first andJabari Blash,

the Padres' No. 16 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com, gave San Diego the lead with a

solo blast leading off the second.

The Padres kept piling on as Norris drove in another pair of runs with a double andAlexei

Ramirez contributed a sacrifice fly in the third. In the fourth, starter Andrew Cashner helped

himself with an RBI double.

After surrendering two runs in the first, Cashner found his rhythm. The right-hander went six

innings, struck out four and gave up two runs on seven hits.

"I think he had a lot of sink today," Green said. "He had a good feel for his changeup, he's still

kind of battling his slider a little bit, it's not where he wants it to be. I don't think it's where it'll be

in the season, but I think by and large it was a very good outing for him."

Up next for Rangers: Rookie right-hander Matt Bush is among the pitchersscheduled to

face the Cubs on Wednesday at 3:05 p.m. CT in Surprise. Derek Holland will start the game

with Bush to follow him. Bush was signed as a Minor League free agent in the offseason after

spending over three years in Florida prisons. Prince Fielder and Adrian Beltre are also

expected to be the lineup for a game that can be seen live on MLB.TV.

Up next for Padres: Left-hander Drew Pomeranz, one of several pitchers fighting for the final

two spots in the rotation, will make his first start of the spring on Wednesday at 1:05 p.m. PT

against the White Sox at Camelback Ranch. Pomeranz has fared well out of the bullpen this

spring, but he got hit hard in his last outing, surrendering four earned runs in 2 1/3 innings.

Listen live to an exclusive free webcast on padres.com.

17

2016 MLB season preview: San Diego Padres BY BETH MAIMAN Posted: Tue Mar. 22, 2016

2015 Record and Finish:

74–88 (.457), fourth place in National League West (23rd overall)

2016 Projected Record and Finish:

73–89 (.451), fourth place in NL West

The Case For

Change can sometimes be a good thing. Certainly that wasn’t the case for last year’s

Padres, even with many calling general manager A.J. Preller the champion of the off-

season after he made numerous high-profile moves that ultimately didn’t end with winning

results. But after underperforming last season, San Diego could finish higher in the

standings than many predict if the team can find a groove and get career years from

several players.

The real question is whether that can happen with the roster the Padres currently have.

There are a few potential difference makers on the team. Rightfielder Matt Kemp, who

rebounded from a slow start with a fantastic second half (.868 OPS after the All-Star

break), could be vital for the Padres if he can provide a consistent performance

throughout the year. San Diego also dealt with an injured Wil Myers last season and the

lack of a regular shortstop; Myers is back and healthy to man first base, and Alexei

Ramirez will take over as the everyday starter at short after getting released by the White

Sox.

In the rotation, the Padres still have righthander Tyson Ross, who led the starting five

with a 112 ERA+ and boasts a fantastic 9.7 strikeout-per-nine ratio. One key here will be

righthander Andrew Cashner, who is coming off a tough 2015 in which he went 6–16 with

a 4.34 ERA, 84 ERA+ and -0.9 Wins Above Replacement. If Cashner can turn around his

performance and return to his 2013–14 form (2.87 ERA, 119 ERA+ in 298 1/3 innings),

the Padres' pitching rotation will certainly be stronger.

18

The Case Against

As they did last year, the Padres will enter the season with a roster that looks markedly

different from the previous year's edition, but whereas 2015 was about trying to build a

contender on the fly, '16 will be simply about rebuilding. Gone is leftfielder Justin Upton,

who led the team in home runs with 26 and is now with the Tigers. Also

departed: righthander Ian Kennedy, first baseman Yonder Alonso and second baseman

Jedd Gyorko. The latter three won't be missed much, but San Diego failed to replace

Upton's power this winter, leaving a sizable hole in the middle of what is already a thin

lineup.

The pitching rotation for the Padres could also be problematic. Although James Shields

and Ross are reliable, the bottom half of the rotation is still in the works. At this point, it

looks like righthanders Brandon Maurer and Colin Rea and lefty Robbie Erlin could be

filling those spots. Maurer, who served as the Padres' setup man last season, is 4–12

with a 6.62 ERA in his career as a starter. He also last pitched on Aug. 9 and was shut

down for the season after dealing with shoulder inflammation. Rea made his major league

debut in 2015 and tallied six solid starts, going 2–2 and striking out 26 in 32 2/3 innings,

but he's never thrown more than 139 innings in a season. All three pitchers will likely face

some growing pains in their starting roles, and San Diego lacks veteran options should

they falter.

If the Padres do find themselves in close games, the bullpen situation could be brutal.

San Diego traded away closer Craig Kimbrel, who recorded 39 saves last season, and

setup reliever Joaquin Benoit. Even with Kimbrel and Benoit, San Diego’s bullpen

struggled last season, accumulating a 4.02 ERA, which ranked 13th in the NL. It's hard to

imagine that number improving without those two.

X-Factor: Wil Myers, 1B

Dealing with a wrist injury throughout the season, Myers was unable to contribute the way

the Padres had hoped after the team acquired him from the Rays for top prospect Trea

Turner. Myers played in just 60 games for San Diego last season, spending prolonged

stints on the disabled list. Myers did contribute when healthy, hitting .253/.336/.427 for a

114 OPS+ in 253 plate appearances, but those stats were still a far cry from his Rookie

of the Year-winning form in 2014.

19

With the addition of former Cardinals centerfielder Jon Jay, Myers will move out of the

outfield and over to first base, and with Upton gone, he'll be counted on as a potential run

producer in the middle of the Padres' lineup. Now 25 years old and entering his fourth

season, Myers’s experience and growth as a player will be crucial for San Diego. If he is

able to stay healthy, he could provide the kind of impact the Padres need to return to

contention.

Number To Know: 44

In his first year behind the plate for San Diego, catcher Derek Norris led the majors in

runners thrown out trying to steal with 44, nabbing an impressive 34% of would-be base

stealers. That's the most runners thrown out by a catcher in a single season since Gerald

Laird caught 40 when he was with the Tigers in 2009. Norris also set a career-high in

starts at catcher with 116 last season, and he graded out positively in Baseball

Prospectus' catcher defense metrics. With a lot of questions facing the Padres this

season, one certainty is that San Diego will have stability behind the plate.

Scout’s Takes

Most Overrated: Andrew Cashner, SP

"The guy that’s the puzzle is Andrew Cashner. For throwing as hard as he does, he just

can’t get through five innings. I saw a game where he had 96 pitches in 3 1/3 innings. His

fastball moves, it’s 95–96 [mph], [but] when things go wrong, he doesn’t handle it well.

He should be better."

Most Underrated: Wil Myers, 1B

"Wil Myers has been hurt, but he has real power. We loved him in high school. He can

run. And he said he likes first base."

20

Norris, Cashner lead Padres to 17-5 win over Rangers 9:33 PM ET Associated Press

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Derek Norris hit a two-run homer, doubled in two more and threw out a pair of runners trying to steal, leading the San Diego Padres to a 17-5 victory over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday. Padres starter Andrew Cashner overcame a rocky first and went six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with four strikeouts. He also hit a ground-rule double to drive in a run. "For me, it's just getting my pitch count up. It's getting up, getting down, getting up, getting down," Cashner said. "Spring training, I put zero stock into spring training. ... It matters when the lights go on."

Jabari Blash also homered for the Padres, who scored nine runs in the first four innings against Rangers starter Colby Lewis. Cory Spangenberg went 2 for 3 and drove in two, and Alexi Amarista had two hits and two RBI for San Diego. "A few of the guys are starting to swing better. Especially the guys we're going to rely on this year. They're getting more comfortable in the box," Padres manager Andy Green said. Lewis gave up 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings with one strikeout. Hanser Albertohit a three-run homer for Texas, and Shin-Soo Choo had two hits. Rougned Odor doubled, scored and stole a base. Lewis has two more starts scheduled before the regular season begins. He gave up four runs in 3 1/3 innings against minor leaguers last week.

"I don't feel I'm missing anything. As long as I feel good both times I go out ... it's an adjustment even adrenaline-wise when the season starts," Lewis said. "As long as my upper body feels good and I go out there and work my pitch count up, then I'm happy."

Jemile Weeks went 3 for 3 with three RBI and is batting .484 in spring training (15 for 31). He also leads the Padres with 11 RBI. "He's making people notice, isn't he?" a smiling Green said.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rangers: RHP Yu Darvish threw a 30-pitch bullpen session as he works his way back from major elbow surgery. ... OF Delino DeShields left the game with mild right biceps soreness and will be re-evaluated Wednesday. "It's just bothering me a little bit," DeShields said. "It's one of those things that's happened before and it goes away. Today it just lingered a little bit longer than it usually does." ... 1B Ike Davis (sprained knee) is beginning baseball activities but is not ready to play in games yet. ... OF Ryan Cordell remains out with a sprained right ankle. Padres: OF Travis Jankowski injured his left ankle rounding third base in the third inning and had to be helped off the field. He was diagnosed with a bruise. . RHP Brandon Morrow (shoulder

21

surgery) is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut Friday. He has already pitched in a minor league game.

SUN ADVENTURES

Each team lost a ball in the high, sunny sky over Peoria Stadium. Blash fought the sun and had Choo's third-inning fly ball go off his glove in the left-field corner for a hit. And four Rangers converged on Norris' double before it dropped in front of a sliding James Jones in the bottom half.

DOUBLE DIP

The Rangers and Chicago Cubs will play a doubleheader at Texas' spring home in Surprise on Wednesday. The first game is the regularly scheduled spring training contest, followed by the second annual Rangers-Cubs Futures Game 30 minutes after the conclusion of the big league game.

STARTING TIME

Rangers: Lewis pitched in a big league game for the first time since March 7. His previous two outings were in minor league games.

"I got my pitch count up. Overall I felt pretty good," Lewis said. "I'm not really concerned with results or anything like that. I never really have been."

Padres: Cashner will be in the starting rotation and continued his tuneup Tuesday with his fourth spring training start. "I was working on some stuff today. My sinker was really good again and I got a lot of guys freezing in the front door, with the lefties," Cashner said. "Slider was good. Changeup, still trying to work on my changeup a little bit."

UP NEXT

Rangers: Derek Holland pitches against the Cubs and Kyle Hendricks on Wednesday. It will be Holland's fifth spring training start. Padres: LHP Drew Pomeranz is scheduled for his first start of the spring and fourth appearance on Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox. Pomeranz replaces Brandon Maurer, who is being moved to the bullpen.