September 21, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Casey Kelly (49) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT

This past weekend, the Padres lost to the Mariners 1-3 on Friday and were out-slugged by the Rockies 4-10 on Saturday, but did manage to cap the weekend off with a 6-4 win over the Brewers on Sunday. As the season opener for the Padres begins one week from today at Citi Field in New York, the Padres continue to make cuts and fine tune the roster, while even considering making some late additions.

No to Porcello?

It was rumored earlier last week that Padres General Manager Josh Byrnes declined multiple deals that would have brought Detriot Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello to San Diego, in exchange for either Padres closer Houston Street or reliever Luke Gregerson.  I can see both sides of why this deal should and should not have been made, but I tend to think it was silly not to make this deal, if it was in fact offered. This was an opportunity to solidify a spot in the rotation with a proven big-leaguer, in a time when the Padres are seemingly scrambling to find a desirable 5th starter. It’s also not as if Gregerson or Street are the one piece that the Padres need to keep in order to compete for a World Series this season. The Padres have always been able to churn out solid bullpen arms and bring in average guys via free agency or trade that become above-average when they arrive in San Diego.  And while Street in particular has been a good closer in the past, his health is a major concern; what good is he if he can’t stay on the field? I guess Byrnes thinks that messing up the bullpen this close to the start of the season would be too damaging, and potentially having guys like Tyson Ross in the rotation is an adequate alternative. Or if the Padres are out of contention come the trade deadline, Byrnes probably figures he would be able to get a bigger haul back for either Street or Gregerson than Rick Porcello, similar to the Mike Adams deal in 2011.

Adios Garcia

Speaking of starting pitching, it was a woefully bad spring for right-hander Freddy Garcia and the Padres finally cut ties with the 36-year-old over the weekend.  Garcia had posted an ERA of 8.77 in 20 2/3 innings so far this spring and apparently that was enough of a sample size. Garcia was competing for a spot in the back of the rotation, but now it seems that the door is open for Tyson Ross, Andrew Cashner and perhaps even Eric Stults to see innings once the season starts. While Ross has been very effective lately, I’m hoping Cashner gets the job.  Let’s see what this flame-thrower can do with a full-time gig in the rotation.

Tommy John Curse?

With the recent news that Padres pitcher Casey Kelly will need Tommy John surgery, it begs the question; what in the world is going on? Just in the past year, pitcher Cory Luebke, pitcher Joe Wieland, outfielder Rymer Liriano, and now pitcher Casey Kelly (there might be more, feel free to add any names in the comments), will be sidelined because of the reconstructive elbow surgery known as “Tommy John.” I realize that this surgery is becoming more and more common-place around the league, but all four of these players are thought to be significant pieces to the Padres future. It not only disrupts the timeline of these guys contributing at the major league level (each player will be out 12-18 months because of the surgery), but it also screws up the organizational plan for when the Padres are projecting to truly being able to compete year in and year out, which affects future signings, trades, and other moves the organization might make.  Perhaps the Padres are plagued by “The Curse of Tommy John?”

Mar 9, 2013; Peoria, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Chase Headley (7) in the field during the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

On Friday, the Padres split two split-squad games vs. the Dodgers, winning 8-7, and the Royals, losing 5-7. The Friars beat the Dbacks on Saturday 10-6, but then lost two split-squad games vs. the Dbacks and the Angels, 6-8 and 4-7, respectively. The Padres continue to pound the ball this spring and, as I noted last week, I hope the pitching can keep up with the offense. A couple of developments that are worth bringing up, as guys start getting into regular season form and playing more innings.

Headley Hurt

Padres Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Award-winning 3B Chase Headley jammed his thumb while sliding into second base on Sunday.  The jury is still out for how serious of an injury it is, but initial reports indicate that Headley could miss opening day.  Headley, coming off a career year, was surely excited to try and pick back up where he left off last season, when he vaulted himself into the NL MVP discussion after an incredible August and September. He was also tearing it up so far this spring, hitting .448. This type of injury scares me because it could be a nagging pain all season. If you have ever jammed a finger before, you can understand what I’m saying; it doesn’t just go away after a couple weeks, it lingers. It’s also an injury that can reoccur and be re-aggravated in so many different ways during the long grind of a season. I’m optimistic that it’s simply a minor jam and Headley will be able to play through some initial discomfort at the beginning of the year. But I really hope this is not the sign of multiple DL stints for Headley this season.

Garcia continues to struggle

When Freddy Garcia signed a one-year, minor league deal to come pitch for the Padres, it was thought he would pitch good enough and provide enough of a veteran presence to win a spot at the back end of the Padres rotation.

It has not gone according to plan thus far. Garcia has struggled mightily this spring, posting an ERA of 9.77 in just 15 2/3 innings. His misfortunes continued on Sunday, as he gave up six runs in five innings against, admittedly, a strong Angels lineup. Garcia is running out of opportunities to try and prove himself to be a starter in the rotation, as opening day is just two weeks away. And given that guys like Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner are looking good, Garcia might be on the outside looking in come April 1^st.

Ross is in the mix to be the Padres’ 5th Starter. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Last week, Robert shared his thoughts on the current competition, and he believed that Anthony Bass was primed to win the job over the large field competing for the job against him in the forms of Tim Stauffer, Freddy Garcia, Sean O’Sullivan, Robbie Erlin, Casey Kelly, and Tyson Ross.

Although I believe that Bass has enjoyed a decent Spring, do not count out Ross in the race for the 5th spot over the next two weeks.  In fact, Ross has played well enough as of late to earn some consideration to win the final spot in San Diego’s Starting Rotation once Spring Training ends.

An unheralded trade acquisition this past Winter, Ross came to San Diego from Oakland coming off of a dreadful 2012 season with the Athletics.  The Right-Hander posted a 2-11 record, a 6.50 ERA, and only 46 Strikeouts over 73.1 Innings Pitched.  Although Tyson came back strong in Triple-A after he was demoted (6-2, 2.99 ERA, 64 K’s over 78.1 IP), the A’s believed that he was expendable and the soon to be 26 year-old Pitcher was sent to the Padres (along with A.J. Kirby Jones) in exchange for Left-Handed Starter Andrew Werner and Utility Infielder Andy Parrino.

Spring Training did not start off very well for Tyson though, and he was shelled in his first two outings with the Padres.  Overall, Ross went 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA, surrendered 5 Runs in only 5.0 Innings Pitched, and allowed hitters to bat .318 against him.  Since the month of March began though, Ross has really stepped up his game, and been nothing short of terrific for the Friars.

In fact, Ross has not allowed a single Run during his three outings in the month of March over a total of 11.1 Innings.  In 3 outings (2 Starts), Tyson threw 3.0 scoreless Innings versus Los Angeles, 3.0 scoreless Innings against his former team Oakland, and threw 5.1 Innings of shut-out ball against Arizona on Saturday afternoon!  Even more impressive has been the fact that Ross has held opposing hitters to a .162 Batting Average over said span.

Even after his dreadful February outings, Ross still ranks among the team leaders in numerous statistical categories this Spring.  Not only is Tyson leading the Friars in Wins (3), he is also leading all of San Diego’s Pitchers in Innings Pitched (16.1) and Strikeouts (13), and ranks third behind O’Sullivan and Jason Marquis amongst all Starters in E.R.A. (2.76).

After Ross’ last start, Friar Manager Bud Black had this to say to Padres.com Beat Writer Corey Brock about his improving Starter:

I thought he threw the ball well.  Again, I thought we saw his fastball command improve and a good slider,…He’s doing his part to forge his way onto our roster.

 

Whether Black and Pitching Coach Darren Balsley intend to use Ross as a Starter or in some type of Long Relief role should be an interesting thing to watch for over the next two weeks.  Ross was used in Long Relief last year with Oakland, so he could come in handy as an emergency 6th Starter/Long Relief specialist to help the Rotation if injuries or poor play occur.

As it stands now, I believe that Bass, O’Sullivan, and Ross are the three front-runners for the starting gig, and the race should come down to the final two weeks.  I for one will be definitely interested to see who emerges as the Friars’ 5th Starter by the time Opening Day rolls around, because the job is still probably up in the air right now after Ross’ strong push over his last three outings.

Stats Courtesy of: Baseball Reference