Nady's Opening Day start could be in center field

By: BRIAN HIRO - Staff Writer | Tuesday, March 29, 2005 9:11 PM PST ∞

PEORIA, Ariz. ---- The balky left groin of Dave Roberts, not to mention his own hitting heroics, has put Xavier Nady on the verge of being the Padres' Opening Day center fielder.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday that there's a "real good chance" Nady will replace Roberts at the position for the season opener Monday at Colorado.

Unless Roberts shows improvement in the muscle by the weekend, he could even begin the year on the 15-day disabled list.

"Obviously, it's a concern," Bochy said. "We have five days to get it right. We'll do the best we can to get him ready."

Said general manager Kevin Towers: "A groin injury is the kind of thing that can stick with you all year long. I'd rather him go on the DL and miss a couple weeks than for this to be a lingering thing."

A speedy leadoff man, Roberts has been beset by hamstring problems in the past, but he had never hurt his groin until a March 12 game in Tucson. At the time Bochy described the injury as very minor. Roberts sat out several days as a precaution but declared himself healthy upon his return.

On Monday he underwent an MRI that he said was for peace of mind. The results of the exam will be looked at by team doctor Jan Fronek today in San Diego.

Roberts started Tuesday's game against Texas and scored twice after walks. In the sixth inning, he came around from first base on a double by Jesse Garcia.

"We feel perfectly comfortable that he can go out and play," Padres trainer Todd Hutcheson said. "But the goal is to get him 100 percent ready for Opening Day. When he scored from first, it looked like he didn't want to kick it in and go full speed."

Roberts wasn't available for comment after the game, but Hutcheson said he has reported tightness in the muscle when trying to run hard.

"In his mind he doesn't want to cut it loose, and his body is telling him, 'Maybe you're not ready,' " Hutcheson said. "He is not 100 percent sure he can go without hurting it."

Roberts, who stayed behind in Arizona while most of the team returned to San Diego on Tuesday, will miss today's game against the Rangers.

"He's still of the mindset that he's going to be ready (for the opener)," Towers said.

Even if Roberts does make a quick recovery, Nady has played his way into the Opening Day lineup, with a start at third base in place of Sean Burroughs as the other option.

The 26-year-old utility player enjoyed the best day of an outstanding spring Tuesday by ripping a three-run, walkoff home run in the 10th inning to deliver a 13-12 victory over Texas. He also doubled to deep center twice and drove in a total of five runs.

Nady leads the Padres with five homers and 14 RBIs and is batting .357.

In a rush to catch a flight back to San Diego, Bochy didn't see the winning homer. But he didn't need to.

"He's earned that start," Bochy said of Nady. "He's swung as well as anybody."

Said Nady, who hit just .247 in 77 at-bats last season: "I feel good at the plate. I'm relaxed up there. I'm just trying to have fun and do my job when I get the opportunity."

Bochy said he hasn't decided who will bat leadoff if Roberts isn't able to play against the Rockies. One candidate he mentioned is shortstop Khalil Greene, who hit first 19 times last year.

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