Padres take no chances, examine Peavy's shoulder

By: BRIAN HIRO - Staff Writer | Tuesday, September 6, 2005 10:48 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- The shoulder soreness that forced Jake Peavy to make an early exit from his last start has the Padres sufficiently concerned that Peavy was examined by team physician Jan Fronek on Tuesday.

Manager Bruce Bochy said his ace right-hander is scheduled to pitch Saturday in his regular spot in the rotation. But, Bochy added, "if we think it's in his best interests to skip a start, we'll do it."

More will be known when Peavy is evaluated after throwing a bullpen session Thursday.

"It's typical for pitchers to feel something (late in the season)," Bochy said. "But you don't want to drop your guard on something like this and assume it's typical."

Peavy said he began feeling discomfort in the back of his shoulder during a 5-3 win over Arizona on Aug. 30. It amplified on Sunday in Milwaukee, a game he left after throwing 92 pitches in five shutout innings.

Padres trainer Todd Hutcheson described Peavy's problem as an impingement of the rotator cuff.

"It's a little different than normal soreness," said Peavy, who has been helped by anti-inflammatory pills. "But it's not an alarming thing. I feel like I can make my next start."

Bonds on horizon

San Francisco didn't activate Barry Bonds from a season-long stint on the disabled list Tuesday, as was thought possible. The looming return of the feared Giants slugger, however, has caught the Padres' attention, particularly since their rival has surged into second place in the National League West.

Bonds could be back on the field when the Padres visit San Francisco next week for the first three of seven remaining games between the teams.

"Unfortunately, we haven't put them away," Padres center fielder Dave Roberts said. "Now it makes his return that much more dramatic. With the situation the way it is, it's a huge addition."

Hernandez close

Ramon Hernandez is two or three days away from being able to start, according to Bochy, who put his catcher through drills to test his surgically repaired left wrist before the game. Hernandez fired 12 throws from behind the plate to second base and also fielded bunts.

"I wanted him to do some throwing," Bochy said. "He looked good."

Short hops

With the Triple-A season over, the Padres called up three more players from the Portland Beavers: C David Ross, INF Manny Alexander and RHP Scott Cassidy. Ross will serve as the third catcher. Alexander, a nine-year major-league veteran who was acquired from Texas on Aug. 31, will lend middle-infield depth. Cassidy, acquired in the July 19 trade that sent Adam Hyzdu to Boston, will pitch out of the bullpen. ... Two days after suffering a mild concussion when his head slammed into the ground in Milwaukee, RHP Akinori Otsuka said his neck felt less stiff but that he was unavailable to pitch Tuesday. ... Saddled with a 10.73 ERA in his previous six starts, RHP Tim Stauffer pitched a three-hit shutout Monday in Portland's final game. .... The Padres have extended by two years their working agreement with the Fort Wayne Wizards, their affiliate in the Single-A Midwest League.