PADRES NOTEBOOK: Barrett's elbow injury only a sprain

By DAN HAYES - Staff Writer | Wednesday, April 9, 2008 5:17 AM PDT ∞

SAN FRANCISCO ---- The Padres played the good-news, bad-news game Tuesday as they placed veteran catcher Michael Barrett on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow sprain and recalled catcher Colt Morton.

An MRI revealed only a sprain of Barrett's ulnar collateral ligament ---- not a tear which would have required reconstructive elbow surgery, as the team feared. The injury likely could sideline Barrett for two months, but the Padres are hopeful he could return as soon as 15 days.

"The worst-case scenario is the MRI reveals he needs Tommy John (surgery)," manager Bud Black said. "This gives us hope that it's not that."

The Padres' hope stems from the fact that team doctors believe Barrett's injury could be a reoccurrence of an old injury, which could limit how much time he misses.

For the time being, however, Padres general manager Kevin Towers said the team will give Morton an opportunity to handle the backup role.

Towers indicated the Padres would only look outside the organization ---- perhaps to free agent Damian Miller, who was contacted on Tuesday ---- if the club's prospects can't handle the load and Barrett is out for a lengthy period.

Morton, who was already on the team's 40-man roster, arrived in San Francisco early Tuesday. The rookie was called up last September, but was limited to one pinch-hit appearance.

"This time's different because you're closer to playing," Morton said. "But I knew my role last year was to come in and help the team any way I could."

The Padres believe the recall, following a stint in big-league camp this spring, should give Morton enough familiarity with the Padres' pitching staff.

"We have to prepare them for these moments," Black said.

Away from Petco

Adrian Gonzalez said he isn't going to adjust his swing based on the results he gets at Petco Park. He will only make an adjustment if he determines that his at-bats are poor, which wasn't the case last week with two potential home runs that ended up being caught on the warning track.

Last year, Gonzalez hit .266, with only 10 of his 30 homers coming at Petco. He hit .295 on the road.

"If you looked at the results, your next swing is bigger." Gonzalez said. "It's going to happen. ... If you look at our numbers on the road, we're a good hitting team."

Prior back on track

Mark Prior completed Monday's live batting practice session in Peoria, Ariz., without a hitch, and he could pitch in a simulated game in the next 10 days, Black said.

Prior, who is coming off shoulder surgery, had to stop his previous session because of tightness in his shoulder. But the right-hander is still on schedule and will throw again on Saturday.

"What he's going through are normal feelings," Black said.

Short hops

3B Kevin Kouzmanoff's elbow was fine Tuesday after he was hit with a pitch on Monday. ... The Giants placed OF Dave Roberts on the disabled list because of inflammation in his left knee. ... Padres farmhand Wade LeBlanc struck out 11 hitters for Triple-A Portland against Sacramento on Monday.