The Morning Friar – 2/16/11

It wasn’t too long ago that Aaron Harang was considered one of baseball’s most durable workhorses. For example, he tossed a total of 677 2/3 innings between 2005-07. Only Brandon Webb and Johan Santana logged more innings during that time period.

PEORIA, Ariz. — It’s highly unlikely that you’ll ever catch Aaron Harang — or, any other pitcher for that matter — referring to spacious PETCO Park as a house of horrors, even though he might well have just cause.

Anthony Rizzo came to the Padres from the Boston Red Sox in the trade for Adrian Gonzalez, and he appears to be the long-term solution at first base.He’ll have some big shoes to fill, but really, that’s nothing compared to the cancer he’s already beaten.

As he headed east to his Louisiana home early last October, Wade LeBlanc didn’t know if he would ever return to San Diego as a Padre.

For 4 1/2 months, LeBlanc held down the No. 5 spot in the Padres rotation. Although he personally was 8-12, the Padres were 13-12 in his 25 starts.