A Year Ago Today

Phil Nevin left in the second inning of Sunday night’s split-squad game with the Angels with after diving for a ball and feeling a twinge in his surgically repaired left shoulder. Nevin dislocated the shoulder on the March 7th of last year, exactly one year ago to the day. Josh Barfield also pulled up lame running out a ground out.

The spring games were secondary to the injuries that occurred on Sunday. Phil Nevin flew back to San Diego right after the game to get his shoulder examined by the team physician, Dr. Jan Fronek. He will undergo an MRI to evaluate the extent of the damage to the shoulder.

The Padres, and fans alike, are holding their collective breath.

"At this point, we're just holding on hope that he's fine," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said. "We don't know exactly if there is anything, but we're going to have some tests done."

"I'm not going to have too much worry about it until I know a little bit more about what happened," Padres GM Kevin Towers said. "Sure, it's not good to watch him have to take himself out of the ballgame, but until we have more information on the seriousness of it, I don't want to get overly concerned."

Yet, concerned they are. The loss of Nevin, and Trevor Hoffman, a year ago paved the way to a dismal season. While the team has more depth this year, the loss of 30+ home run and 100 RBI consistency could hamper the big plans the Padres have this season.

"Last year was much worse," Towers said. "Last year, he was rolling on the ground and not able to get up. I'd rather not see our trainers go out there, but this looks a little bit different than last year. I think last year, when Bruce and I saw it happen, we knew it was trouble."

The early prognosis is Nevin will miss just a few short weeks. That would be ideal for a team that expects to contend in the NL West.

Meanwhile. Josh Barfield hurt his left hamstring in the split-squad game against the Mariners. Running out a grounder in the sixth, Barfield pulled up lame. The injury will not hamper his season, but he will need a few weeks of rest.

The Padres, coincidentally, lost both games.

The Angels beat them 6-3. Xavier Nady hit a solo home run. Ismael Valdez took the loss.

The Mariners crushed the Padres 16-5 as Brian Lawrence and Ben Howard struggled early.

Brian Hunter hit a solo shot in the first and scored twice. Miguel Ojeda had two hits and an RBI.

Eddie Oropesa was the only Padre pitcher that didn’t allow a run. In fact, he struck out the side – again. He accomplished the same feat in the charity game earlier this week.

In the good news department, David Wells pitched off a mound on Sunday and looked good. Jake Peavy also threw on the side and reported no pain. Ryan Klesko made his first start in left and played well.

The Padres will be in Surprise on Monday with right-hander Brian Sweeney scheduled to start against the Rangers. He'll be followed by right-handers Chris Oxspring, Matt Bruback, Scott Linebrink and Akinori Otsuka.