Catcher Greene likely out for spring
By: DAN HAYES - Staff Writer | ∞
PEORIA, Ariz. ---- Catcher Todd Greene was considered by Padres officials to have an outside chance or better of making the club's Opening Day roster. But that now appears to be a long shot.
Greene will likely miss the rest of spring training after dislocating his right shoulder during a throwing drill at Peoria Sports Complex on Wednesday.
The 11-year veteran, who will undergo an MRI today, was expected to push for a spot on the 25-man roster based on his experience and his right-handed bat.
"It was the most benign of drills," Padres manager Bud Black said of the exercise in which Greene was hurt.
Greene, who was later seen headed for the office of trainer Todd Hutcheson with his arm gingerly tucked in, was doing a throwing drill from behind the plate to a player positioned between the pitcher's mound and second base. Black said Greene had already participated in the team's morning warm-up and soft-toss sessions.
"It was a much shorter throw (than to second base)," Black said. "Low intensity. It popped out of the socket. We were fortunate that team orthopedics was here and they were right on it. I haven't talked to the doctors. I'm not quite sure of the prognosis, but it's sure to set him back for some time."
General manager Kevin Towers, who expects the injury to sideline Greene for the rest of spring training, said the diagnosis would leave the club without a solid right-handed bat off the bench.
Greene hit .289 with two homers and 17 RBIs in 61 games for the San Francisco Giants last year. He was invited to camp, Towers said, "with no guarantees" of making the club, but his presence was considered valuable.
Towers said the team would look internally at possible replacements before venturing into the trade market. The GM mentioned nonroster invitees Luke Carlin and Pete Laforest, and Black dropped Nick Hundley's name.
Walker wins
Second baseman Todd Walker likened his brother Mark Walker's efforts to Christopher Columbus' belief that the world was round following an arbitrator's decision to award Walker a one-year, $3.95-million deal. The Padres had offered $2.75 million.
Walker said everyone in his camp, even the players' union, advised him to settle with the Padres before Tuesday's case began ---- everyone but his brother.
"He was the sole reason we went," Walker said. "It was blood and sweat and fighting over the phone (with him). You don't want to go through something like that. It was painful. It worked out and we feel very lucky."
Mark Walker ---- who is also a financial advisor to Boston's David Ortiz and Minnesota's Torii Hunter ---- spent four months preparing for Monday's four-hour session as his brother's representative.
Todd Walker said that despite everyone else's doubts, Mark Walker was 95 percent sure they could emerge victorious. The infielder said his brother had more than enough statistical analysis and arguments to match the team's efforts.
"He was so confident," Todd Walker said, "to the point that we became enemies. Now when it turns out the way it did, he looks like a genius. I owe him everything. I thought he was dead wrong."
Towers said it was only the second time during his tenure that a Padres player went to arbitration. Pitcher Joey Hamilton won his case 10 years ago.
"We certainly knew the risk factor going in," Towers said. "I talked with Walk and he was fine. This is something we can put behind us and move on. We're here to put our best 25 guys on the field, and Todd is one of our better 25." Ý
Full-squad workout
The team is holding its first full-squad workout at 9:45 this morning.
-- Contact staff writer Dan Hayes at dhayes@nctimes.com.
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