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Home , Adam Eaton (outfielder), Andy Green (baseball), Craig Sager, Dan Straily, Don Orsillo, Joc Pederson

Padres Press Clips Saturday, April 2, 2016

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Pomeranz wins spot in Padres rotation MLB.com Cassavell 2

Kershaw-Ross rekindles storied NL West rivalry MLB.com Schlegel 4

Cashner sharp early against White Sox MLB.com Cassavell 6

Orsillo excited about new start in SD MLB.com Cassavell 8

Padres fans enjoying experience at FanFest MLB.com Center 9

Padres sign Guthrie to Minors deal MLB.com Cassavell 11

SD mayor impressed by additions MLB.com Center 13

Jeremy Guthrie, Padres agree Associated Press AP 15

Andrew Cashner efficient in Petco tune-up UT San Diego Sanders 16

What’s new at Petco Park UT San Diego Sanders 18

Drew Pomeranz named to Padres rotation UT San Diego Sanders 20

Sands earns roster spot, singles in go-ahead for ChiSox Associated Press Wilson 22

Name your Padres-inspired beer as season nears UT San Diego Miller 24

Wil Myers ready to move on from wrist injury, mental struggle UT San Diego Acee 26

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Pomeranz wins spot in Padres rotation Rea and Erlin remain as candidates for No. 5 job

By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com | @AJCassavell | April 1st, 2016

SAN DIEGO -- The Padres cleared up half of their rotation dilemma Friday evening, announcing that left- hander will begin the season as a starter.

Pomeranz already had a spot on the roster locked up, but it was unclear whether he'd begin the season as a starter or a reliever. His inclusion in the rotation means the fifth spot will go to either and .

Manager essentially declared Pomeranz's stint in the rotation an experiment before the Padres lost to the White Sox, 5-3.

"He showed enough in to warrant the opportunity to start," Green said. "It was one of those things that -- once you choose to put him in the bullpen, it's pretty much over, he's a bullpen guy from then on out.

"We're taking the opportunity for him to start, to see how he does in the rotation. You ride that as long as possible. If it doesn't work out, he slides to the bullpen."

Pomeranz made two Cactus League starts, and he'll get another on Saturday in the club's final exhibition game of the spring. His first two starts could not have been more different. Pomeranz allowed one over four against the White Sox on March 28, but he allowed six earned over three innings against the Royals on Monday.

Obviously the Padres are hoping to get more of the former. How exactly can they get that version?

"He's got to consistently step on the gas if he's going to be great," Green said. "... It's not a matter of just pacing yourself all the time. He can with some energy. And when he does, it's really good." Pomeranz's inclusion in the rotation locked up a roster spot for reliever Kevin Quackenbush, and Green confirmed that the right-hander will indeed make the roster on Friday.

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With Quackenbush on board, the Padres still have two spots available in the 'pen. , Brandon Maurer, Carlos Villanueva, Matt Thornton and Quackenbush have all assured themselves a place in the relief corps.

Quackenbush was sharp for most of Cactus League play, posting a 3.00 ERA in an extremely hitter- friendly environment. In two seasons with the Padres, he has a 3.28 ERA and a 1.172 WHIP.

Pomeranz, meanwhile, was 5-6 with a 3.66 ERA last season for Oakland. Forty-four of his 53 appearances came as a reliever. Throughout his career, Pomeranz's splits have been much better as a reliever (2.14 ERA, 1.02 WHIP) than as a starter (4.60 ERA, 1.43 WHIP). But he added a splitter to his arsenal in the offseason, which the club believes could be the key to his success in a starting role.

Pomeranz's first start will come either April 8 or 9 in Colorado, where he spent the first three years of his big league career.

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Kershaw-Ross rekindles storied NL West rivalry By John Schlegel / MLB.com | April 1st, 2016

Familiar foes and division rivals since the West was born, the Dodgers and Padres meet to begin the regular season for a second straight year, once again bringing the Opening Day atmosphere to a Southern California rivalry dating back to 1969.

When the three-time division champion Dodgers travel down Interstate 5 to Petco Park to open the season with a 4:05 p.m. PT opener against the Padres on Monday, they'll be bringing much the same team that started the season a year ago. The Padres, meanwhile, moved a few key players this past offseason and retooled at several positions.

Padres starter Tyson Ross remains a force, and he's making his first Opening Day start, getting the nod over veteran , the club's starter a year ago. The opposing is the same -- left-hander , the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner looking to add to his already historic career resume.

When the two teams meet for the 10th time on Opening Day, Padres will be there for a second opener against his former team. But San Diego made a host of changes this offseason that included closer (Red Sox) and slugger (Tigers) moving to new addresses.

The biggest change for the Dodgers will be seen on the top step of the dugout, where Dave Roberts takes over after moved on to Miami. Roberts was the Padres' bench the last two seasons and becomes the 28th in Dodgers franchise history, the 15th to both play for and manage the club.

While much of the personnel is the same from a year ago, with NL Rookie of the Year candidate the main addition to the everyday lineup, Roberts promises to bring some change -- daily -- by using a variety of lineups.

"I think certain guys like Adrian [Gonzalez] and Justin [Turner], they'll be there right in the middle where they're accustomed to being. But outside of that, I think there's going to be a lot of change," Roberts said.

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"It's never asked of them to change their style of hitting and their approach. But I think regardless of where you hit, the game dictates how you take an at-bat."

Meanwhile, many of San Diego's offseason changes will be evident when the Dodgers come to town, including a rookie manager in Andy Green. Alexei Ramirez steps in at and Jon Jay is in center field for the club that retained and Derek Norris, also acquired a year earlier along with Kemp.

A rotation that boasts a strong top three with Ross, Shields and Andrew Cashner delivering from the right side remains a constant heading into 2016, and Ross looks forward to getting the Padres off to a solid start.

"Opening Day, Opening Series, first time on the mound with the lights on -- it's always a lot of fun," Ross said. "It's something that I enjoy every year. It's going to be great to be out there for the first of 162 -- and hopefully more than that."

After three games in San Diego, the Dodgers will continue their opening road trip by playing in the Giants' home opener on Thursday before heading to Chavez Ravine for their own home opener on April 12 vs. the D-backs. The Padres follow their season-opening home series by heading to Colorado for the Rockies' home opener on Friday.

Dodgers' projected Opening Day lineup: Carl Crawford, LF , RF , 3B Adrian Gonzalez, 1B Chase Utley, 2B A.J. Ellis, C , CF Corey Seager, SS Clayton Kershaw, LHP

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Cashner sharp early against White Sox By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com | @AJCassavell | April 1st, 2016

SAN DIEGO -- Jose Abreu launched his fifth of the spring on Friday night, as the White Sox beat the Padres, 4-3, in an exhibition at Petco Park.

San Diego right-hander Andrew Cashner threw an abbreviated outing with the regular season on the horizon. He allowed one run over three innings and threw 25 of his 35 pitches for strikes. Cashner, who was hitting 95 mph with his , will make his regular-season debut Wednesday against the Dodgers.

"I liked the way he was today as much as I've liked him at any other time, especially the way he finished up," Padres manager Andy Green said of Cashner. "… I thought his fastball location was as good as its been all spring, and I liked where his sinker was."

White Sox starter Mat Latos, a former Padre, tossed four shutout innings before surrendering three runs in the fifth. He lasted 4 1/3 and struck out three while allowing five hits and three walks.

"This is the best he's pitched this spring," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said of Latos, who gave up three runs on five hits, while walking three and striking out three. "The biggest thing is he's getting ahead early, keeping it down. Before he was leaving stuff up in the zone that was getting hit hard. If he's keeping it down and utilizing that he becomes tougher."

The White Sox opened the scoring in the second when tripled and came around to score on an RBI ground out. Two innings later, Abreu mashed a 1-2 fastball from Padres reliever Kevin Quackenbush into the left-field seats.

But the Padres would even the score in the fifth, plating three on a sacrifice fly and a pair of bases-loaded walks.

Jerry Sands would put the White Sox on top for good in the top of the eighth with an RBI single.

White Sox up next: John Danks finishes off the exhibition portion of the White Sox schedule with Saturday afternoon's start in San Diego, prepping the left-hander to start Friday's home opener against the Indians. The game has a first pitch of 3:10 p.m. CT.

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Padres up next: Officially a member of the Padres' rotation Drew Pomeranz gets the ball Saturday afternoon against the White Sox, as the Padres wrap up their exhibition slate at 1:10 p.m. He was roughed up for six earned runs in three innings on Monday.

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Orsillo excited about new start in SD By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com | @AJCassavell | 12:00 AM ET

Don Orsillo's first season with the Padres will be his 16th announcing big league baseball.

After Orsillo spent 15 years announcing Red Sox games, the Padres hired him in September to call games on TV and radio in 2016 and beyond.

Earlier this spring, Orsillo took some time to chat with MLB.com's Corey Brock about his broadcasting style and the prospect of joining a new organization. You can watch the full interview in the video above.

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Padres fans enjoying experience at FanFest Events continue Saturday and conclude Sunday before Monday's opener

By Bill Center / | April 1st, 2016

Aaron Elder of Chula Vista couldn't get to Arizona for Spring Training this year.

So he and his two sons waited for Spring Training to come to them.

Elder took off early from work Friday afternoon, picked up his kids and headed to Petco Park to attend the opening day of FanFest and take in the first of two Padres exhibition games against the at Petco Park.

"This is cheaper than the regular season and to the boys, Padres baseball is Padres baseball," said Elder. "They're too young to really know the difference between an exhibition game and a regular season game. If they get an autograph or two, that's what they will remember."

"They know the players like [Matt] Kemp and [Wil] Myers. But to meet any player in uniform will be a memory."

And meet them they did.

The FanFest experience continues Saturday morning before the second exhibition against the White Sox - - and the final preseason outing before Monday afternoon's season opener against the Dodgers at 4:05 p.m. PT at Petco Park.

Like Friday afternoon, the second half of FanFest Saturday morning is free to the public and will be held in the Park at the Park. The gates -- Gaslamp Gate at 7th Avenue and East Village Gate on 10th Avenue -- swing open at 10 a.m.

Various Padres players, coaches and alumni will be signing autographs from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Fans will also be allowed to view Padres practice from the left-field grandstands. 9

The seating bowl for the 1 p.m. game will open at noon. General admission seats are $10. After Saturday's game, fans will be invited to come down to the field and run the bases. "FanFest is one of the few opportunities to look a player in the eye," said Celia Anderson of San Diego. "They're not as big as I thought, although Kevin Quackenbush is pretty big. I don't think I'd want him throwing a baseball at me."

Twelve-year-old Steve Turk didn't care what players signed his baseball as long as someone signed.

"I just want to prove to my friend that I was here," Turk said.

Children attending Saturday's FanFest will get a preview of what KidsFests will be like on Sundays this season. There will be bounce houses, games, obstacle courses and face painting. The wiffle ball field at the Park at the Park will also feature live games and clinics for kids 14 and under put on by the staff of the Padres Baseball Camps -- promoting the week-long summer baseball camps program.

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Padres sign Guthrie to Minors deal By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com | @AJCassavell | April 1st, 2016

SAN DIEGO -- Days after being granted his release by the Rangers, veteran right-handerJeremy Guthrie has agreed to a Minor League deal with the Padres.

Guthrie, 36, arrived in San Diego on Friday night and is slated to debut with the club as a reliever in Saturday's exhibition against the White Sox. He will begin the season at Triple-A El Paso.

"Obviously he brings a lot of experience -- he's got [12-plus] years of service time," Green said. "... He's a high-character guy -- the kind of guy we've been targeting since the beginning."

Guthrie, who lost out on the battle for Texas' fifth-starter spot, would most likely begin the season with Triple-A El Paso. He went 8-8 with a 5.95 ERA in 30 appearances, including 24 starts, for Kansas City last season.

With plenty of uncertainty surrounding the back of the Padres' rotation, Guthrie figures to serve as insurance for the starting five. He posted a 5.14 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP in Cactus League play. Guthrie's addition would mitigate the loss of right-hander Dan Straily, who was claimed off waivers by the Reds earlier on Friday. Straily was acquired on Monday in a trade with the Astros for catcher .

Without a place on the roster, Kratz would have been let go by San Diego. The Straily trade essentially allowed for the club to give him a four-day tryout, while at the same time attempting to work out another deal. Nothing came to fruition.

Injury update Brett Wallace (sore right foot) is slated to play in this weekend's exhibition games, essentially cementing his status on the Opening Day roster. The club had been holding the backup first baseman out of Major League action so any potential disabled list stint could be backdated.

"We feel good enough about his health to put him in a game, get him going," Green said.

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Alexi Amarista (jammed left shoulder) is also feeling much better and could see playing time this weekend, too. His status for Opening Day remains in question -- as does whether he'll begin the season on the Opening Day roster.

Amarista is battling for one of three seemingly available bench jobs. He still has one Minor League option remaining.

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SD mayor impressed by Petco Park additions Padres add Craft Pier and Sun Diego Beach in right- center

By Bill Center / San Diego Padres | April 1st, 2016

At the end of his third annual preseason tour of Petco Park, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer paused on the new two-tier Craft Pier and Sun Diego Beach in right-center and looked back toward home plate.

"Petco Park is a great example of what you can do when everything comes together," said Mayor Faulconer. "When you walk into Petco Park, it looks brand new every time.

"This is the definition of more than a ballpark. Making it reflect San Diego is something I'm very proud of. It's a great combination of cityscape and history."

The Mayor's tour was a combination "Taste of Petco Park" experience and a look into San Diego's past and present through the lens of the Padres' downtown home.

The tour started at Home Plate Plaza, where the Padres have relocated the six retired numbers.

As he walked through Petco Park, Faulconer, guided by Padres President and CEO Mike Dee, moved past the murals of Padres greats , and now adorning the walls at various spots around the ballpark. Also new are mural-sized photos of historic teams and ballparks far predating the 1969 birth of the National League Padres.

Faulconer stopped by the mural of Gwynn and said: "Sharp, very nice."

The murals are part of the Padres "history throughout the ballpark" project that will climax July 1 with the opening of the Padres Hall of Fame.

Along the way, Faulconer stopped to taste the fare at three of Petco Park's new eateries -- the Board & Brew, the Brigantine Seafood and Oyster Bar and Gaglione Bros. Famous Steak & Fries.

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The tour ended at The Craft Pier presented by Ballast Point and Sun Diego Beach.

"We have worked to transform the ballpark into a greater reflection of San Diego," said Dee. "Petco Park is part of the fabric of downtown San Diego," said Faulconer. "The whole city is excited for the All-Star Game showcasing San Diego and this beautiful ballkpark."

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Jeremy Guthrie, Padres agree 9:37 PM ET Associated Press

SAN DIEGO -- Veteran right-hander Jeremy Guthrie has agreed to terms on a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres. Guthrie will be assigned to Triple-A El Paso.

He was granted his release by the on Monday.

The 36-year-old Guthrie signed a minor league deal with Texas right before spring training. He had a 5.14 ERA in three Cactus League appearances, allowing three home runs with five over seven innings. In a Triple-A game last week, he gave up three solo homers over five innings.

Guthrie started Game 7 of the 2014 for Kansas City but was left off the Royals' postseason roster last season.

He is 91-108 with a 4.37 ERA in 305 career games for Cleveland, Baltimore, Colorado and Kansas City.

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Andrew Cashner efficient in Petco tune-up Right-hander throws 35 pitches in three innings in 5-3 exhibition loss to White Sox

By Jeff Sanders | 10:25 p.m. April 1, 2016 | Updated, 11:03 p.m.

In his final Cactus League start, Andrew Cashner needed 37 pitches to get through the first . He needed two fewer – total – to get through Friday’s Petco Park tune-up, an efficient three-inning start in a 5-3 exhibition loss to the White Sox.

The 29-year-old right-hander threw 25 pitches for strikeouts, didn’t walk anyone and allowed just two hits. One scored on Melky Cabrera’s RBI-groundout following Todd Frazier’s triple to lead off the second and another – ’s single to lead off the game – was erased on a double-play ball to end the first inning.

Cashner – who will make his regular season debut Wednesday against the Dodgers – retired the final five hitters he faced before giving way to the bullpen as he trended in the right direction following last week’s Cactus League finale (6 ER in 3 1/3 innings).

“For me, I set out what I wanted to do (this spring),” said Cashner, who finished the spring with a 4.64 ERA, 16 strikeouts and seven walks in 21 1/3 innings. “I think I can get better still in some areas, but that’s baseball. … The biggest thing is getting my sinker down in the zone. Definitely glad to get out of Arizona. Definitely the sinker’s a lot better out here.”

Added Padres manager Andy Green: “I liked where he was today as much as I’ve like him any other time, especially where he finished up. The at the end was harder, and when he got the punchout he was 85. That’s as hard as he’s thrown it. I’ve got a strong belief that when he gets his slider into the 86-89 range it’s highly effective. I thought his fastball location was as good as it’s been all spring and I like where his sinker was.”

White Sox starter Mat Latos went a bit deeper than Cashner in his return to Petco Park, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings. The Padres scored their first run on Cory Spangengberg’s fly ball to left in the fifth inning and two more on bases-loaded walks that reliever Jake Petricka issued to Wil Myers and .

Named to the bullpen earlier in the day, right-hander Kevin Quackenbush allowed two runs on four hits, including Jose Abreu’s fourth-inning homer to left field.

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Left-hander Ryan Buchter allowed a single in a scoreless fifth and closer Fernando Rodney struck out a batter in a perfect sixth inning before minor league arms (T.J. Weir, Kyle McGrath, Yimmi Brasoban) combined for the seventh and eighth innings.

Trey Michalczewski singled in the go-ahead run off Brasoban in the eighth before left-hander Matt Thornton allowed a run on a walk and a hit in the ninth inning. Notable

 1B Brett Wallace (foot) entered the game in the eighth inning at first base and walked in his lone at-bat. He had been relegated to action in minor league games in case the Padres wanted to back-date a disabled list stint.  OF Jabari Blash struck out to end the game in his lone at-bat.

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What’s new at Petco Park A rundown of new looks, lights and nods toward Padres and San Diego baseball history

By Jeff Sanders | 7:24 p.m. April 1, 2016

The Padres on Monday will roll out their official product for the 2016 season. The start of FanFest ahead of Friday’s exhibition against the Chicago White Sox, then, served as a soft- opening preview of both the lineup and a new-look Petco Park as the organization prepares to host its first All-Star Game since moving downtown.

Plenty is different on both fronts, too, from a roster sans Justin Upton, Ian Kennedy and Jedd Gyorko to new LED stadium lighting to the sun-splashed décor and historical touches added throughout the 12-year-old ballpark. While the most notable addition – the Padres Hall of Fame – won’t open until July 1, the Midsummer Classic-themed makeover certainly held Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s interest as the city and Chargers push through efforts to keep the NFL in town, possibly downtown.

“I’ve always upheld Petco as an example of what you can do when everything comes together,” Mayor Kevin Faulconer said after touring the upgrades with Padres President Mike Dee. “This is the 12th year of Petco Park and the fact that it enjoys such strong support from San Diegans, people realize it was the right thing to do. Our players love it; the fact that we’re going to host the All-Star Game, this is an example of how to do things right.

“It really works and is part of the fabric of downtown San Diego.”

Here’s a rundown of some of the most notable changes throughout the park: The look

The most noticeable alteration immediately greets fans entering at the Park Blvd. gate as the Padres relocated their six retired numbers – 6 (Steve Garvey), 19 (Tony Gwynn), 31 (), 35 (Randy Jones), 51 (Trevor Hoffman) and 42 () – from atop the batter’s eye in center field to the Home Plate Plaza. The numbers are also displayed inside the park on the Toyota Terrace Level façade above the press box, while a Sycuan sign now sits above the batter’s eye. Other signage changes include hoisting the Toyota lettering even higher above the Western Metal Supply Co. building, a “Hit it here” Mitel sign on the second deck of that repurposed building and a re-branding of the T-Mobile Home Run Deck for the sponsor of the All-Star Game’s .

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As a safety measure against home run balls, the children’s sand pit in the area previously known as The Beach has been moved behind a two-deck party space rebranded as The Craft Pier presented by Ballast Point and Sun Diego Beach. Additionally, the netting behind home plate – upgraded to minimize the appearance – has been extended toward the home and visiting dugouts to comply with MLB’s latest recommendations. The history

An indoor hall of fame that will open on K Street behind the left-field seating area will open July 1 – a week ahead of the start of All-Star Game activities – and will serve as a visual history of the organization, its 11 members of the Padres Hall of Fame and San Diego baseball in general. Additionally, building-sized murals of the four Padres with retired numbers – Gwynn, Hoffman, Jones and Winfield – are scattered throughout the stadium.

Other nods toward local history include an enlarged 1910 photo of Athletic Park on 26th and Main streets and photos of San Diego neighborhoods – from El Cajon to North Park to the Gaslamp Quarter – at restroom entrances. The lights

Specifically designed optics of the new LED lighting system reduced the glare both inside and outside the park enough for the Padres to do away with the scrim that was temporarily placed above the National University sign upon the completion of the Sempra Energy building last summer. The first of its kind in the National League, the Musco’s SportsCluster system features 10 racks holding 460 light fixtures, all with 1,200-watt bulbs aimed at providing a stage-like look for broadcasts and spectators.

Including clubhouse lighting, the Padres expect Petco to be 95-percent LED by the All-Star Game. The eats

Board & Brew sandwiches, Gaglione Brothers cheesesteaks and the Brigantine Seafood & Oyster Bar highlight the newest additions to Petco Park’s food choices. Other new tenants include Rimel’s Surfer Burritos, Yogurtland, Mister Softee, Peet’s Coffee, Bumble Bee Poke Bar, Paradise Bowls and Estrella Cantina.

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Drew Pomeranz named to Padres rotation Padres also finalize minor league deal with Jeremy Guthrie, who will follow Pomeranz in Saturday's game

By Jeff Sanders | 5:53 p.m. April 1, 2016 | Updated, 11:10 p.m.

Drew Pomeranz might well end up in the bullpen at some point, as he did last year in Oakland. The 27-year-old former first-rounder, however, will start the season in the Padres rotation, manager Andy Green said Friday afternoon as the Padres prepared for a two-game exhibition series against the White Sox.

“It’s one of those things where once you choose to put him in the bullpen, it’s pretty much over – he’s a bullpen guy from then on out,” said Green, adding that the team was still deciding whether to start him in the fourth or fifth. “We’ll take the opportunity to start him, see how he does in the rotation and ride that as long as possible. …

“The expectation is he has the stuff necessary to succeed in the rotation and we’re excited about having him there.”

A final tune-up for Pomeranz – who allowed 13 earned runs in 14 innings in Cactus League action – will come Saturday, leaving right-hander Colin Rea and left-hander Robbie Erlin as the clubhouse leaders for the final spot in the rotation. While a third option came off the board as the Padres designated right-hander Dan Straily for assignment and lost him on waivers to the Reds, the club also finalized a minor league deal with right-hander Jeremy Guthrie as organizational depth.

Guthrie will follow Pomeranz in Saturday's exhibition against the White Sox.

“He’s a high character guy,” Green said of the 37-year-old Guthrie, who was released by the Rangers earlier this week. “If we do get his name on a dotted line, he becomes very similar to what we would have received in Straily.”

The same goes for the odd man out in the battle for the fifth spot, as both Rea (3) and Erlin (1) have minor league options left.

Both 25 years old, Rea posted a 5.73 ERA, struck out 17 and walked 13 in 22 innings this spring, while Erlin managed a 2.25 ERA, nine strikeouts and three walks in 12 innings. That line doesn’t include Erlin’s start (4 IP, 7 ER) at hitter-friendly El Paso on Thursday night, an outing 20

that Green said wouldn’t have any added significance as his staff decides on the final rotation spot.

“Every single outing matters to a degree, but no one outing gets blown out of proportion as the only thing you remember because it’s his last outing,” Green said. “He went through Cactus League play with a two-and-a-quarter ERA. He pitched very well. Yesterday was less than ideal … but you don’t judge guys by one outing.” Notable

 A high-ranking official with the Padres characterized the rumored interest in Red Sox 3B Pablo Sandoval as overblown. An MLB Network report earlier Friday said the Padres had internal discussions about Sandoval, who is starting the season on the Red Sox bench despite signing a five-year, $95 million deal before the 2015 season. The Padres attempted to sign Sandoval last November and reportedly had a scout taking a look at him earlier this spring.  Green also said that RHPs Kevin Quackenbush and Brandon Maurer have been told they made the team, leaving two spots up for grabs this weekend. RHPs Fernando Rodney and Carlos Villanueva and LHP Matt Thornton are also in the bullpen.  INF Alexi Amarista (jammed shoulder) is improving and could return to action Friday, as could 1B Brett Wallace (foot).

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Sands earns roster spot, singles in go-ahead run for ChiSox By BERNIE WILSON (AP Sports Writer)10 hours agoAP - Sports

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Jerry Sands learned Friday afternoon that he'd won the final roster spot with theChicago White Sox.

A few hours later, he singled in the go-ahead run with two outs in the eighth inning to help the White Sox beat the San Diego Padres 5-3.

''I'm excited about the opportunity, and I'm looking forward to helping the club,'' Sands said. ''It's a good group of guys.''

Sands was signed in December and a roster spot opened when Adam LaRoche retired after executive Ken Williams told LaRoche to cut back on his 14-year-old son's access around the team.

He pinch-hit in the eighth, stroking an RBI single up the middle.

''I've been working on getting to the fastball this spring and I was able to get one to hit and I snuck it through the middle,'' he said. ''When you don't know much about the pitcher, you just try and barrel something up.''

Sands was kept over Travis Ishikawa, Matt Davidson and Carlos Sanchez.

Jose Abreu hit a two-run homer off reliever Kevin Quackenbush in the fourth, his fifth of spring. was aboard after a leadoff single.

White Sox starter Mat Latos, who began his big league career with the Padres, and reliever Jake Petricka blew a 3-0 lead in the fifth. The Padres scored three runs on two hits, four walks - including two bases-loaded walks by Petricka - and a sacrifice fly.

STARTING TIME

White Sox: Latos allowed three runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings, struck out three and walked three.

Padres: Andrew Cashner allowed one run and two hits in three innings, with one .

QUOTABLE

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''I thought it was the best he had pitched all spring,'' manager Robin Ventura said of Latos. ''He got out of Arizona and was able to crank it up a little bit. It's encouraging. From where he was, to this, was encouraging.''

SOFT OPENING

Rookie Padres manager Andy Green found the door to the postgame interview room locked, and then saw that the microphone at the podium was too high. So he simply pulled up a chair and held court with three writers.

PADRES TRANSACTION

The Padres signed veteran right-hander Jeremy Guthrie to a minor league deal. Guthrie will pitch in Saturday afternoon's game against the White Sox, Green said. Guthrie will be assigned to Triple-A El Paso. He was granted his release by Texas on Monday. The 36-year-old Guthrie signed a minor league deal with Texas right before spring training. He had a 5.14 ERA in three Cactus League appearances, allowing three home runs with five strikeouts over seven innings. In a Triple-A game last week, he gave up three solo homers over five innings. Guthrie started Game 7 of the for Kansas City, but was left off the Royals' postseason roster last season.

UP NEXT

White Sox: LHP John Danks is scheduled to start Saturday against the Padres.

Padres: LHP Drew Pomeranz is scheduled to start against the White Sox.

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Name your Padres-inspired beer as season nears 'Pitching Questions Pilsner' is Bryce Miller's suggestion in his weekly lap through the sports world

By Bryce Miller | 6 a.m. April 1, 2016

A little bit about a lot …

Anchor Brewing announced the release of the “first ever and craft beer collaboration” — some -inspired suds named Orange Splash Lager.

What would the Padres beer be? Pitching Questions Pilsner?

Last season, the flavor could have been Scoring Impaired Stout. The Padres, though, had a productive spring at the plate. As the team broke camp in Arizona, it sat fifth in total hits (314) and seventh in average (.285).

The number that could cause a few in the front office to drink: The team ERA sat at 6.88, worst in the bigs. …

So, NBA rookie D’Angelo Russell thought it was a good idea to secretly record teammate Nick Young talking about other women. Young, for the record, is engaged. The Lakers sit dead last in the Western Conference.

I bet Kobe Bryant cannot wait to get out of that locker room. ….

As three-time U.S. Olympian Meb Keflezighi prepares for a fourth and final Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he admitted fighting a “sweet tooth” that is trickier to fend off as aging slows his metabolism.

Keflezighi, the only marathoner to win an Olympic medal (silver, 2004) along with the Boston and New York City marathons, will be 41 when the 2016 Games arrive. He said this week that he misses Italian gelato and an occasional glass of wine.

Hey, you try staying at 125 pounds. …

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Major League Baseball boss Rob Manfred was asked to discuss the popularity of his sport versus the TV ratings juggernaut known as the NFL last weekend during the Padres trip to Mexico City.

Manfred brought up an interesting point about targeting younger customers: He said baseball’s “” app is opened up 8 million times a day during the regular season, with the average age of users being 30.

“TV ratings tell part of the story. Technology tells part of the story,” Manfred said. “We want to let young people consume the game the way they want to.” …

The race for a utility job or two on the Padres’ 25-man roster continues between Jemile Weeks, Alexi Amarista and Adam Rosales. Weeks, once the hottest hitter of the spring, has settled to a more human .327 heading as the team wrapped up its time in Peoria, Ariz.

Manager Andy Green keeps track of Weeks, though — even when 1,300 miles away. On Saturday, while talking to Green in the dugout at Mexico City’s Estadio Fray Nano, it was clear how watchful manager continues to be.

“I like everything Jemile brings, Green said. “I was watching inside (the clubhouse on TV) and saw him go back to the track to make a catch. He offers that kind of versatility.” …

Guitar icon Eric Clapton turned 71 this week. Where do the years go? …

North Carolina coach Roy Williams sliced a finger with scissors while cutting down the net after the Tar Heels beat Notre Dame to reach the Final Four. The Yuck of the Irish? …

It’s maddening to hear Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay — and Cowboys boss Jerry Jones before him — deny the connection between football and the brain condition known as Chronic Traumatic Encephelopathy (CTE).

For one, the NFL’s senior vice president for health and safety told a congressional committee that a link “certainly” does exist. Irsay, Jones and others come off as greedy, profit-no-matter- the-cost caretakers of an industry that seemingly values healthy bottom lines more than the health of its workforce. …

The air evacuated the balloon for San Diego State in the NIT semifinals at Madison Square Garden. Man, did it ever evacuate. Against George Washington on Tuesday, the Aztecs hit just 28.8 percent of their shots — including a head-shaking night at the 3-point line (3-for-22).

The Aztecs seemed to shake off their NCAA snub with a confident, commanding run through Tournament 1B. They always danced with danger as shooters, though, and reverted to their worst selves on a night when the defense wasn’t there to bail them out. …

Golden State’s Steph Curry is on the way to winning consecutive NBA MVP awards. But his most impressive moment on the court came after a game was decided.

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When Curry was asked Tuesday by TNT sideline reporter whether he wanted a game or two off to rest for the playoffs, Curry made quick eye contact. Sager recently revealed his cancer is no longer in remission and doctors said he it’s possible he only has a handful of months to live.

“Seeing you, doing what you’re doing?” Curry told Sager. “We’ve got no excuses. You’re an inspiration for us.”

Excelling in sports is one thing. Staying attuned to what matters in life, even as the money and celebrity washes over you, is something truly special. …

Circling back to that Padres trio of Weeks, Amarista and Rosales as Opening Day looms: Green said Amarista, who could start the season on the DL with a jammed left shoulder, has the most experience at shortstop, Weeks the most at second and Rosales the most on the corners.

My thought: Weeks is more proven offensively. Even with Amarista’s financial commitment (2 years, $2.5 million), that needs to matter.

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Wil Myers ready to move on from wrist injury, mental struggle It’s time for Padres first baseman to stay healthy, reach potential

By Kevin Acee | 7:16 a.m. April 1, 2016 | Updated, 1:15 p.m.

Before being able to help lift a franchise, Wil Myers had to be strong enough to understand he might not be able to do so.

“The biggest thing is I had to accept the fact my wrist may never be healthy again,” Myers said. “That was tough. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh! I might never be able to be 100 percent again.’ That was the toughest thing I’ve ever had to deal with.”

It was in sessions with a sports psychologist this offseason that the man the Padres hope embodies the franchise’s future came to be OK with whatever the future held.

“I’ll tell you this, I had a real tough time with it,” Myers said. “It wasn’t one of those things where, ‘I’m injured and it’s going to heal and I’m going to be fine.’ It messes with you. ... It’s a tough thing when you play baseball from age 5 to 25 and it’s taken away from you for two years in a row. That’s something I wouldn’t wish upon anybody.

“I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel when I started hitting again. I had to accept that when I go in and hit, it might not be the same, and regardless of what happens I’m going to be OK. It was tough to accept.”

He did accept it. Then he started to hit in early February, and his wrist was fine.

That was good for everyone involved, because besides Myers being able to let go, it is important that he be able to hold onto a bat, something he couldn’t do very well for much of 2014 and ’15.

Fact is, we don’t know how good Myers can be. He simply hasn’t been healthy for sustained stretches since initially injuring his wrist two months into the 2014 season. He has made just 614 plate appearances over the last two seasons. The Rookie of the Year with the in ’13 sure looked that good for the first 30 games or so of last season, batting .298 and scoring a league-high 28 runs before jamming his wrist during a collision on May 10. He played in 28 games the rest of the year. 27

Give Myers credit for taking cortisone shots and re-taping his wrist between so many at-bats while trying to play through the injury. Too, for playing the final month of last season despite his wrist still being weak following June surgery to remove bone spurs.

“I finally got the surgery I needed,” he said.

Now, entering his second season with the Padres and his first as the team’s full-time first baseman, Myers seems as ready as the rest of us — more so — to make the steep climb from endearing promise to enduring performance.

“Mentally, I feel like I’m as strong as I ever have been,” he said. “That’s important to me, because this game is so mental. I feel like I’m in a really good place right now.”

Good. There is still time for this particular investment to pay off. Myers was always considered by Padres decision-makers to be the nucleus of the 2015 talent grab. Whatever Justin Upton, Matt Kemp, James Shields, Derek Norris or Craig Kimbrel provided, it was Myers around whom the team envisioned building.

Myers is aware of this. He’s fine with it, if not outright owning it.

“That’s a really cool thing,” he said. “... When you’re growing up, you always think about being the best player on the team, ‘the guy’ or whatever. But we have so many guys on this team. Shields, (Jon) Jay, Kemp. Those are the guys everybody looks to. I look to them, too, for advice.”

That’s deference, not disinclination. Whatever doubts Myers had about the durability of his surgically repaired wrist, the process did nothing to dent the kind of confidence he will need to be all the Padres want (need) him to be.

He isn’t cocky. Myers’ confidence comes across as an earnest precociousness.

“I do believe I have the ability to have a great year,” he said. “I will not say I have the ability to be the guy, because we have so many guys here. It’s not a one-man thing. I do believe, though, if I get the at-bats, I can do a lot in those 600 at-bats. ... I’ve never had a bad year when I’ve been completely healthy. I really do believe in my talents. I think I’m extremely talented and I think I have a lot of ability in this game. I know I can be a great player. I know if I stay healthy, then I’m going to have a good year.”

He recalled a conversation with his father before leaving for sprint training in February.

“I said, ‘I really feel like 2014 and ’15 have prepared me for 2016,’ ” Myers recalled. “I dealt with a lot of downs. I feel like mentally and physically, it made me stronger.”

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