As expected, Nady will start season in minors

By: BRIAN HIRO - Staff Writer | Sunday, March 21, 2004 9:42 PM PST ∞

MESA, Ariz. ---- If there was any consolation to the news Xavier Nady received Sunday morning, it's that he pretty much knew it was coming.

Almost one year after opening the season as the Padres' starting right fielder, Nady was optioned to Triple-A Portland, a victim of the Padres' upgrade in talent over 2003.

"Too many guys," Nady said. "I knew going into camp that there weren't many positions open."

Also caught up in the numbers crunch were right-handed pitchers Ben Howard and Dennis Tankersley, who will join Nady in Portland.

In addition, the Padres reassigned right-handed pitcher Matt Bruback, first baseman Tagg Bozied and outfielder Jon Knott ---- all nonroster spring invitees ---- to the Beavers.

Nady, 25, was competing for a spot as the Padres' fifth outfielder, a role that will likely be filled by veteran Brian Buchanan, who's also valuable as a potential replacement for first baseman Phil Nevin until he returns from a strained shoulder. The Padres believe that Nady's development will be better served by continuing to accumulate minor-league playing time.

Nady, who was batting .167 in 30 at-bats this spring, didn't disagree.

"It's just nice in general to go down and get some at-bats," he said. "It's not like a demotion. I've been there before, and I know what I have to do."

After starting for most of the first three months last season, Nady was sent down to Portland on July 23 before the Padres recalled him in September.

Upon returning to Triple-A, Nady will be occasionally tested at a pair of relatively foreign positions: first base and center field, which he said he had never played until a two-inning stint against Colorado on March 12.

"It's a new challenge, but it's fun when you get moved around," Nady said.

The demotions of Howard and Tankersley came as little surprise, either.

Howard, 25, entered spring training as a legitimate contender for the fifth starter's job, but he sabotaged his chances by posting a 13.50 ERA, highest on the team among regulars. Tankersley, also 25, had pitched well with a 1.86 spring ERA, but the Padres' rotation appears set.

"We want them to go down, get in their routine and get stretched out," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said. "These guys need to pitch."

Minor adjustment

For 10-year veteran Jeff Cirillo, a day down in the humbling world of the minors just might have done a world of good.

Saddled with a 1-for-27 batting ledger this spring, Cirillo played in a couple of minor-league games Saturday to tinker with a new, wider hitting stance that he equates to the one employed by Red Sox star Nomar Garciaparra. Cirillo said he drove the ball better Saturday, and he followed that up by going 2-for-3 in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs to increase his spring average from .037 to .100.

"Today was a good day," he said. "Yesterday was a good day. If I can get myself in a position where my feet are comfortable, I'll be fine."

Cirillo was referring to a mysterious, subconscious tapping of his front (left) foot, a tic that the former perennial .300 hitter suddenly developed last season in Seattle, causing his average to plummet to .205. He calls the toe tap a "really bad habit" that disrupts his rhythm and timing at the plate.

"It's kind of like reading a book while the TV's on," he said. "That's the best way I can describe it."

Short hops

RHP Brian Lawrence continued to prepare for his Opening Day start on April 5 by throwing a spring-high five innings. He surrendered four runs (three earned) on six hits with five strikeouts. "Physically I'm ready to go," Lawrence said. "I just have to work on being sharp." ... 3B Sean Burroughs was back in the lineup and went 1-for-3 with an RBI after missing Saturday's game with a stiff lower back. ... The crowd of 12,737 Sunday was the second largest ever at Mesa's HoHoKam Park. ... No score was available from the Stars of the Future game in Yuma that featured Padres minor-leaguers.