PADRES NOTES: Young's nose surgery set, paving way for eventual return

By DAN HAYES - Staff Writer | Saturday, June 21, 2008 8:12 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- Chris Young will undergo surgery on his fractured nose June 30, clearing a necessary step for him to return to the mound for the first time since being struck in the face by a line drive last month.

Young said Friday he's excited by the prospect of establishing a time line for his return. Doctors kept him inactive for two weeks after Albert Pujols' line drive May 21 left him with a fractured nasal bone, a deviated septum and a small crack in his skull.

Young has since resumed playing long toss.

He believes his risk for infection has passed, though he hasn't been given a time line for his return following surgery.

"It's been a long month," Young said. "It's more like three months. ... But it' s better it was the nose than the arm."

Young plans on throwing a side session on Saturday.

Kouzmanoff improving

Third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff said the lower back strain that has plagued him since Tuesday is improving, though he's not sure if he's headed for the disabled list. An MRI showed he had an irritated disc.

The Padres have outfielder Justin Huber, who was outrighted to Triple-A Portland on Tuesday, in town in case Kouzmanoff's injury is worse than believed.

Manager Bud Black originally thought Kouzmanoff would miss three to five games after he was injured while taking grounders in batting practice. Friday was the fourth straight game Kouzmanoff has missed.

Kouzmanoff said he was able to lie down on the flight home from New York on Thursday, which he believes keyed the improvement.

"I feel a lot better today from Tuesday," Kouzmanoff said. "I don't think I'm going to need two weeks (to heal)."

Kouzmanoff has become somewhat of a lower-back expert. He was limited to 71 minor league games in 2005 because of lower-back problems and has experienced several recurrences since.

"It's a maintenance thing ever since," Kouzmanoff said. "I've been dealing with it. I know when I have to take it easy and when I can push it."

Not a fan of interleague

Off to a 3-7 start in 2008, the Padres are 20 games below .500 all-time in interleague play. The Padres are 83-103 in those contests with a 43-46 record at home. Beginning with Friday's home opener against Detroit, the Padres play their final nine interleague games at Petco Park.

Short hops

In a radio interview earlier this week, Padres CEO Sandy Alderson said the Seattle Mariners hadn't asked for permission to speak with general manager Kevin Towers about their vacant general manager job and the Padres wouldn't grant such a request if it comes. ... C Josh Bard (ankle) is improving, but is still four weeks from returning. ... OF Brian Giles had an MRI on his shoulder which showed adema (soreness), but was in the lineup against Detroit. Giles said he tweaked his shoulder on a check-swing in Cleveland last week and feels discomfort when he throws and swings off balance. ... The Padres will host a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Omni Hotel outside Petco Park honoring Negro Leagues baseball. Hall of Famer Willie Mays will participate. Tickets can be reserved by calling (619) 795-5271. ... Clubhouse assistant Spencer Dallin said retrieving OF Chase Headley's first home run ball Wednesday was "easy." Headley only had to sign a ball in return for the New York Yankees fan who caught the drive.

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