Padres Notebook: Klesko makes spring debut

By: BRIAN HIRO - Staff Writer | Saturday, March 5, 2005 10:04 PM PST ∞

PEORIA, Ariz. ---- This week's MRI exam on the left shoulder of Ryan Klesko came back bearing good news. So good, in fact, that the Padres' outfielder was cleared to make his spring training debut Saturday afternoon.

Klesko started in left field and batted cleanup as a Padres split squad beat Seattle 5-2. He grounded out in the second inning, struck out in the fourth and walked in the sixth before being lifted for a pinch-runner.

Throwing has given Klesko the most trouble, and he wasn't forced to test his shoulder in the field.

"It was good to get out there," Klesko said. "I saw a lot of pitches at the plate. My timing is obviously off, but it was nice to finally play."

Manager Bruce Bochy inserted Klesko into the lineup after team doctor Jan Fronek gave the MRI a positive evaluation. Fronek told Klesko that the shoulder will not require a cortisone shot, although that could change if it becomes inflamed again.

Bochy plans to use Klesko as a designated hitter today against Seattle and on Monday against the Angels.

"I want to give him a couple days to get his arm in shape," Bochy said. "I told him to take it easy (Saturday)."

Klesko said he hasn't felt pain in the shoulder for the past two days, and he's optimistic the worst is behind him.

"I'll probably have some days where it doesn't feel great, and I'll have to throw the ball in to (shortstop) Khalil (Greene) or hit the cutoff man," he said. "Just as long as it doesn't affect my swing. If it stays like this and doesn't get any worse, I'll be fine."

Bush debuts

With the Padres' roster thinned by split duty, plenty of minor-leaguers saw action Saturday. The most noteworthy was shortstop Matt Bush, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft last June.

Bush entered the game against the Mariners as a pinch runner in the sixth inning and scored before playing the final three frames. He struck out in the eighth but made two impressive defensive plays, including a backhanded stop in the hole, on which he flashed his powerful throwing arm.

"I thought he handled himself well out there," Bochy said of the teenage prospect. "He didn't look nervous. He showed some good skills today."

Giant comeback

In their other game, at Scottsdale, the Padres lost 5-4 in 10 innings. Right-hander Michael Brunet allowed four runs in the eighth to squander a 4-0 lead.

Starter Darrell May, Tim Stauffer and Chris Oxspring each pitched two scoreless innings. Mark Sweeney doubled and tripled for the Padres.

Short hops

RHP Joe Dawley, a nonroster invitee, lifted the Padres over Seattle by striking out three in two perfect innings and driving in the game's first run with a fifth-inning single. RHP Brian Lawrence breezed through two innings to start, and C Ramon Hernandez lined a two-run double in the sixth. ... CF Freddy Guzman has a mild ligament sprain in his throwing elbow in will be re-evaluated after an MRI scheduled for Monday. ... 1B Tagg Bozied (knee) remains about a week away from playing.

Contact staff writer Brian Hiro at b_hiro@hotmail.com.