San Diego hoped moving CR-R Phil Nevin to first base would limit his defensive exertion. However, Nevin couldn't resist diving after a ground ball in the second inning of the Padres' Sunday spring training game against Anaheim. Afterwards, he left the game to consult with San Diego's trainer because he'd hurt his left shoulder. Exactly a year earlier, he dislocated his left shoulder so severely he required surgery to correct the problem, causing him to miss half the 2003 season.

According to an MRI on Monday, Nevin did not re-injure the shoulder in the same area that was surgically repaired last season and the new damage is not considered too severe. The 33-year-old will wear a sling for a week to ten days before beginning a two to three week rehab program. If everything goes smoothly, he may be physically able to open the season with San Diego, though since he's unlikely to be able to participate in many spring games, he'll probably be rusty for a few weeks. Given the trauma his shoulder has undergone the last few years, I don't completely trust the timetable. I also fear that a trip to the DL will follow almost any dive he makes at this point, so hopefully he'll spend his rehab contemplating the need to alter his style of play to accommodate his current fragility. Restraining the instincts he's honed over more than a decade won't be easy, and since a single lapse could lead him to miss additional time, I'll be surprised if this is the only time he has trouble with his shoulder this season.

As long as the Padres expect Nevin's absence to be abbreviated, San Diego does not intend to allow 1B/OF-L Ryan Klesko to return to first base, since they want Klesko to focus on playing left field. OF-R Brian Buchanan, 3B-R Jeff Cirillo, and OF-R Xavier Nady will compete for any playing time opened up by Nevin's injury. 1B-L Todd Sears has not been mentioned as a candidate for the position, and at last report a back problem of an undefined nature was keeping him sidelined indefinitely. Buchanan and Nady are already locked in a competition in which Buchanan reportedly has the edge for the fifth outfield slot. Klesko's in left, OF-R Jay Payton's in center, and OF-L Brian Giles is in right. OF-L Terrence Long's sizeable salary basically guarantees him a spot on the bench as the fourth outfielder. Buchanan currently appears to offer more power than Nady and has been more patient in the majors. I think Nady can improve with further experience, but AAA will probably be better than an inconsistent major league post for the 25-year-old.

RHP Antonio Osuna was scratched from spring training activities on March 5th because of elbow soreness. The Padres have since discovered an old bone chip in his elbow. At the moment, the problem is only supposed to sideline him for a few days. However, if San Diego determines he needs surgery Osuna likely will be out for around six weeks. Since Osuna's contract reportedly only becomes guaranteed after he opens the season on San Diego's 25-man roster, the Padres may chose to release him rather than spend $750,000 on a pitcher who may not be healthy. The heated competition for positions in the San Diego bullpen would allow the Padres to dismiss him without hurting their staff.

RHP Trevor Hoffman, RHP Rod Beck, and RHP Akinori Otsuka supposedly are the only pitchers who've secured places in the Padres pen, and San Diego intends to carry seven relievers. Others in competition for a place on the staff include LHP Mike Bynum, Joey Hamilton, LHP Edgar Huerta, RHP Scott Linebrink, LHP Eddie Oropesa, RHP Jason Szuminski, LHP Kevin Walker, and RHP Jay Witasick. LHP Sterling Hitchcock and RHP Ismael Valdez are competing for a rotation spot and the loser of that battle may take a position in the pen. Hitchcock missed a couple of days with a sore groin, but he's resumed normal activities, and given his connection to the club during their World Series run, he appears to be the favorite to win the job.

LHP David Wells reportedly lost weight in following his back surgery and has not experienced any troubles this spring, so he appears set to open the season in the rotation rather than on the DL. RHP Jake Peavy suffered a minor oblique strain in late February, but after a week of rest, he believes he's recovered. He's already thrown off a mound, and he's scheduled to pitch in San Diego's spring game on Friday.

Overall, the Padres haven't been bothered by many injuries so far in spring training. Prospect OF-L Freddy Guzman has been shut down for four to six weeks because of general soreness throughout his right arm. While he's undergone an MRI, San Diego has not been able to identify the precise source of his pain. There's a possibility that the problem could be related to his elbow in which case Tommy John surgery could wipe out his season.

San Diego signed Guzman as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2000. He's worked his way steadily through their minor league system, splitting most of 2003 between A+ Lake Elsinore in the California League and AA Mobile in the Southern League. The 23-year-old lacks power but he compliments solid plate discipline with intriguing speed. If this injury doesn't wipe out his season, I suspect he'll receive a September call-up after spending the year at AAA. He may be ready to contribute regularly to the Padres' major league club in 2005.