Earlier this week, as Major League Baseball’s lockout of players crept nearer to 100 days, a rare sight could be glimpsed virtually all morning at the Peoria Sports Complex.That reprieve is over. Preller, the Padres’ president of baseball operations, and the rest of MLB reopened for business Thursday afternoon.
“I think we are excited to play baseball,” Stammen said. “We’re baseball players. … We’ve been ready to play this whole time.”They will open the regular season April 7 against the Diamondbacks in Phoenix, exactly one week later than the originally scheduled opening day. Their six home games against the Giants and Rockies, which were canceled earlier this month, will be made up through a combination of nine-inning doubleheaders and by extending the season three days at the back end.
“We are well positioned to finalize our roster, begin spring training and prepare for an exciting season,” the letter said. “Our goal remains the same, to win our first World Series championship for San Diego and you, our loyal fans.” Right-hander Nick Martinez and the Padres agreed to a four-year, $20 million contract on Dec. 1. But the paperwork for the deal was not submitted to MLB before the lockout. So, officially, he remained a free agent, though multiple sources said that was a technicality and Martinez would be a Padre. He is expected to challenge for a spot in the rotation after posting a 1.62 ERA in 149 2/3 innings last season for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
Team personnel other than physicians have been prohibited from talking with players during the lockout. That means a scramble commenced Thursday with coaches trying to figure out their current players’ health and fitness at the same time personnel executives were trying to fill out rosters through trades and free agent signings.More than two hours after league business resumed, no deals had been reported.