PADRES NOTES: Rusch's healthy return gives Padres a thrill

By DAN HAYES - Staff Writer | Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:36 PM PDT ∞

SURPRISE, Ariz. ---- Glendon Rusch began his offseason throwing program earlier than usual, and that may have helped earn him a spot in the Padres' bullpen.

The left-hander ---- who hasn't pitched since Sept. 4, 2006 because of a blood clot in his arm ---- began throwing last Sept. 1 in an attempt to prove to major league clubs he still could pitch.

Following an early hiccup or two, Rusch has demonstrated just that, racking up 8 2/3 shutout innings over his past four outings. During the stretch, he has allowed three hits and three walks with nine strikeouts while lowering his spring ERA to 0.87.

"Honestly, it took the first couple of outings just to get in that game-mode again, but now I feel like I didn't miss any time," said Rusch, who allowed two runs on six hits in his first two appearances.

"I'm back in the swing of it."

Manager Bud Black said Rusch's repeatable delivery has made for an easier transition back into the game. He also said the 33-year-old hasn't appeared to suffer from the layoff and is making a strong push for a bullpen job.

"He's having a good spring," Black said. "He came here with a chance to make our team and he's done everything to make it a very tough decision for us.

DaVanon, Fick waived

The Padres' outfield scenario became more defined when they released CF Jeff DaVanon on Saturday.

DaVanon was among the top candidates for a backup role when camp opened, at least partially because there were so many outfielders with health issues. But the healthy returns of Brian Giles and newcomer Jody Gerut along with the versatility of Callix Crabbe made DaVanon ---- who hit .290 this spring and walked nine times ----expendable.

The team also cut C Robert Fick, who was hitting .130 in 23 at-bats.

The cuts reduced the number of players in big-league camp to 40.

Hoop dreams

With only five days remaining before the team heads home and with more cuts looming, it's all business in Peoria ---- nearly.

On Saturday morning, four Padres and several players from the Northwest Christian High basketball team, which 1B Tony Clark coached, participated in a free-throw shooting contest in the players' parking lot.

Chase Headley, Carlos Guevara, Crabbe and Clark participated for the Padres, who easily defeated the representatives of the Class 2A Arizona state champions behind the sharp shooting of Crabbe.

"I didn't have to do too much," Clark said. "I think this has been one of the loosest springs I've been around."

Young stretched out

Chris Young needed to go to the bullpen to hit his 80-pitch limit in a 3-2, 10-inning win over Kansas City. The right-hander was happy with the command of all three of his pitches as he allowed two runs on five hits over seven innings.

Shawn Estes followed Young and earned the win with two innings of shutout relief, while Kevin Cameron earned the save with a scoreless inning.

Prior cuts it loose

Mark Prior unleashed his curveball for the first time during a 50-pitch bullpen session.

Pitching coach Darren Balsley said Prior will continue his every-fifth-day schedule and may soon face live hitters.

"He had been just spinning ‘em before this, and now he snapped a couple off and it looked pretty good," Balsley said. "He's right on track ---- he's throwing good."

Short hops

LHP Justin Hampson is likely headed for the disabled list after an MRI revealed shoulder tendonitis. ... Giles, C Michael Barrett and OF Scott Hairston were all scratched from Saturday's lineup with flu-like symptoms. ... 2B Tadahito Iguchi blasted a two-run homer, his first of the spring. ... With the University of San Diego men's basketball team still alive in the NCAA tournament, today's Padres game can be heard on 1700 AM.