Padres notes: Beck tells Towers he should be ready in about a month

By: BRIAN HIRO - Staff Writer | Thursday, April 15, 2004 11:11 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- After weeks of uncertainty, the Padres finally have a timetable for reliever Rod Beck's return.

That's because after weeks of no contact, Padres general manager Kevin Towers this week finally spoke to Beck, who has been away from the team while dealing with undisclosed personal problems. In Wednesday's phone conversation with Towers, their first in more than a month, Beck told him that he believes he can be ready to pitch in about 30 days.

"He sounded good on the phone, and it sounded like he's anxious to get back to getting in shape and throwing," Towers said. "He hasn't really had a spring training, and it takes everybody else six weeks, so hopefully he can be here in four weeks."

Towers said Beck will probably report on Monday to the Padres' complex in Peoria, Ariz., for extended spring training. After a couple of weeks of throwing on the side and weight lifting, Beck should be ready for a minor-league rehab assignment. But Towers isn't sure where he'll report to.

The goal is to have Beck return to the Padres in time for the six-game homestand that begins on May 11.

Concerning the nature of the personal problems, Towers would only say that they're health-related.

"I didn't even ask Rod," he said. "Whatever his personal issues are, that's his business. I said, 'Eventually the media's going to want to know, and I'd rather it come from you than from me. At this point I'm just glad to hear you're doing well and that you're going to be back and getting ready.'

"From the very beginning, I knew a little bit but not a lot. Out of respect to him and his wife, I've decided to let him deal with it."

The Padres will welcome the 34-year-old setup man back with open arms, as their bullpen has been their weak spot through the early part of the season.

Padres relievers have combined for a 6.20 ERA, and in three of their four losses the bullpen has allowed the winning run.

"He's been missed not only for what he does on the field but what he brings to the clubhouse," right-hander Scott Linebrink said. "He's a great personality, a great guy to have down there ---- just a real light spirit and about as true a heart as anybody that you'll find. And with what he can offer in the 'pen, too, obviously he's going to be a big plus whenever he comes back."

Beavers bailed out

Thanks to an 11th-hour bailout, the Portland Beavers, the Padres' Triple-A club, will be allowed to play in their home stadium this year.

According to an Associated Press report, the Portland City Council agreed to take over the lease on PGE Park, preventing the Beavers from getting locked out after the city kicked out former operator Portland Family Entertainment, which owed the city $2 million.

Portland's first home game of the season is tonight against the Las Vegas 51s.

Short hops

For the ninth consecutive year, the Padres hosted a military day. The Padres wore their new sand-colored pants with the traditional camouflage jerseys and army-green caps. Rookie RHP Jason Szuminski, a lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve, caught the first pitch, thrown by Vice Adm. Mike McCabe, commander of the 3rd Fleet. ... Manager Bruce Bochy was impressed by the Wednesday showing of Szuminski, who really made only one mistake ---- giving up Juan Encarnacion's two-run homer ---- in three innings out of the bullpen. "In that third inning he fatigued a little bit, got the ball up and gave up the home run, but overall he threw well," Bochy said. "We needed three innings out of him, and he gave it to us."

Padres on deck

vs. Arizona

WHERE: Petco Park

PROBABLE PITCHERS:

Today ---- LHP Randy Johnson (0-1, 5.54 ERA) vs. RHP Jake Peavy (0-0, 1.46), 7:05 p.m.

Saturday ---- RHP Brandon Webb (1-0, 2.25) vs. RHP Ismael Valdez (0-0, 6.75), 7:05 p.m.

Sunday ---- RHP Steve Sparks (0-1, 7.50) vs. RHP Adam Eaton (1-0, 1.80), 1:05 p.m.

TV: 4 SD

RADIO: XPRS (1090 AM); XEMO (860 AM, Spanish)

UPDATE: The Diamondbacks beat Colorado 11-10 on Thursday to salvage the final game of a three-game set. With a record of 3-6, however, they come to San Diego in last place in the National League West. Manager Bob Brenly allowed his frustration to boil over Wednesday when he was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the ninth inning of a 14-4 loss to the Rockies. ... The Padres will open the series by facing Johnson, their longtime nemesis, for the first time in 2004. In 18 career starts against the Padres, the Big Unit is 12-2 with a 2.17 ERA. Among those who have particularly struggled against him are 2B Mark Loretta (2-for-27 lifetime for a .074 average) and RF Brian Giles (2-for-20, .100). ... Taking the departed Curt Schilling's place as the complement to Johnson is Webb, a second-year pitcher who went 10-9 with a 2.84 ERA as a rookie in 2003. ... The Padres went 10-9 against Arizona last season but are just 39-56 in the all-time series. ... Valdez is starting in place of LHP Sterling Hitchcock, whom the Padres placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a rib injury.