Prior's agent preaches patience to Padres

By: DAN HAYES - Staff Writer | Thursday, February 7, 2008 11:09 PM PST ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- The Padres are hopeful Mark Prior is on the mound by May 1 but his agent would prefer the club stick to the suggested time line.

General manager Kevin Towers said Thursday that encouraging reports on Prior's progress gives the Padres hope he could pitch ahead of schedule in 2008 if he doesn't have any setbacks. The right-hander underwent shoulder surgery this offseason and hasn't pitched in the big leagues since Aug. 10, 2006.

But Prior's agent, John Boggs, wants the Padres to stick to the suggested time line of Dr. James Andrews, who recommended a return to the mound in mid-to-late May.

After five years with the Chicago Cubs, Prior signed a one-year deal with the Padres in December. The former 18-game winner has a 42-29 mark and a 3.51 ERA in 106 games started.

"I think he's progressing very well," Boggs said. "But I have stood fast and strong on his encouraging rehab schedule not to expedite something that shouldn't be expedited. Let's give him the time he needs.

"I hope that's what the Padres are thinking."

Towers said the suggestion only came after he received good reports from trainer Todd Hutcheson.

One good sign: Prior has already begun throwing off the mound. And if Prior ---- the second overall pick of the 2001 amateur draft ---- continues recovering at this pace he could start a rehab assignment in the minors when the Padres return to San Diego to begin the regular season.

"There's a chance," Towers said. "I don't know how realistic that is. But initially we had thought it would be the first of July."

Said Boggs: "You're going to get value from Mark Prior if you follow the time line and don't try to expedite."

The Padres' bench could get could a valuable addition in Tony Clark before the team heads to camp in Peoria, Ariz., next week.

Both Towers and Boggs, who is also Clark's client, confirmed that the two sides have been talking about a potential deal.

Clark ---- who played at San Diego State ---- hit .249 with 17 homers in 221 at-bats last season with the Diamondbacks. The 35-year-old has been a thorn in the Padres side since signing with Arizona in 2005 with eight home runs in 79 at-bats against them. Four of those homers came at the expense of Padres pitcher Chris Young.

"Nothing is definitive at this hour," Boggs said. "We're trying to get some clarity on what's the best situation."

The interest in Clark comes during a week in which the Padres also worked out five-time all-star Mike Sweeney. While the Padres have interest in Sweeney it appears he's drawing more interest from several American League clubs.

Los Angeles and Cincinnati are also believed to have interest in Clark.

Towers also said the club could likely finalize a two-year deal with shortstop Khalil Greene as soon as today. The signing has been held up by "language issues," according to Towers.

 

Contact sports writer Dan Hayes at dhayes@nctimes.com.