Nevin on track to play Opening Day

By: GREG BALL - Staff Writer | Saturday, March 27, 2004 9:18 PM PST ∞

PEORIA, Ariz. ---- Phil Nevin stepped out of the batting cage Saturday afternoon and was immediately subjected to some good-natured harassment from a teammate.

"He feels all right. He's OK," Brian Giles announced loudly to the crowd gathered along a chain-link fence behind home plate.

The remarks elicited a smattering of applause from the fans and a small grin from Nevin. That the injured Padres first baseman was smiling about anything signaled a positive turn of events for Nevin and the team.

Nevin reported no pain after taking his first live batting practice in nearly three weeks, and said the left shoulder injury that has kept him out of action since March 7 shouldn't restrict him from opening the season with the Padres at Dodger Stadium on April 5.

When Nevin hurt his shoulder diving for a ball three weeks ago, there were concerns he would miss significant time.

"I felt great today," Nevin said. "Right now it looks like I'll be ready to go in Los Angeles."

Nevin will take live batting practice today and is scheduled to hit in minor-league games Monday. Assistant trainer Jim Daniels said if all goes well, Nevin will play in Tuesday's big-league exhibition against Seattle.

"He wasn't favoring his shoulder at all," Daniels said. "He looked very normal. We were happy with how he looked today."

Said Padres manager Bruce Bochy: "That was very encouraging."

Nevin consistently made solid contact to all fields Saturday. He hit three balls over the left-field fence.

"I guess the next hurdle is to go out and see live pitches and breaking balls," Nevin said. "It feels just as good as when I got to camp." Ý

Hitchcock on the mend

Left-handed starter Sterling Hitchcock threw off a mound Saturday for the first time since straining his groin and missing his last scheduled start.

Hitchcock threw 10-15 minutes without incident.

"He's on schedule," Daniels said. "He could have started his last turn, but we wanted to be cautious."

Hitchcock is 100 percent healthy and should make his next scheduled start Tuesday, Daniels said.

Peavy looking strong

Padres right-hander Jake Peavy threw six scoreless innings in the Padres' 7-1 win over the Cubs.

In one of his better starts of the spring, Peavy allowed four hits and lowered his ERA from 4.50 to 2.45.

"There were a lot of positives, but I still have some work to do," Peavy said.

"To come out against a good 'A' team like the Cubs and facing some good hitters is a definite positive."

Peavy will get one more start before the season opens.

Short hops

OF Jay Payton (hamstring) hit in a minor-league game Saturday and will do the same today. The true test of his readiness will come Monday, when he's scheduled to take fly balls in center field. ... GM Kevin Towers had no news to report on the trade front. Pitchers Ben Howard and Kevin Walker have both been mentioned in potential deals. ... Brian Giles' first-inning triple was his first of the spring.