PADRES NOTES: Young, Bard get closer in recovery process

By JOHN MAFFEI - Staff Writer | Friday, July 11, 2008 10:23 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- Chris Young, who was hit in the face by a line drive on May 21, took a giant step Friday on his road to recovery.

Pitching his second simulated game since undergoing multiple surgeries, the 6-foot-10 right-hander threw 51 pitches ---- 33 strikes, 18 balls ---- in a three-inning stint while facing Luke Carlin, Luis Rodriguez, Brian Myrow and Nick Hundley.

Equally important for the Padres is the fact that Josh Bard, who has been out since suffering a high ankle sprain the same day Young was injured, was Young's catcher Friday.

There is a chance Young and Bard could be the battery Wednesday night when Lake Elsinore hosts the Inland Empire 66ers. Young said he would need two, maybe three, rehab starts before he's ready to pitch in a big-league game.

"My arm strength was real good, and I didn't fatigue at the end," said Young, who faced 12 batters, striking out three, allowing three hits and walking one. "I still need to fine-tune some things.

"After (nearly) two months off, you're not exactly where you want to be. But I'm not far off. I got some pop ups and swings and misses. That tells me my stuff is good."

Carlin has caught Young, but had never hit against him until Friday.

"He looked good," Carlin said. "His fastball had good life, and that's what he's known for. He had a good changeup and curve. He was a little disappointed that he couldn't get his slider inside enough on the left-handers."

Bard might need 10 games in the minors before he's ready to play a big-league game, but he said Friday was huge for him.

"I hit, caught a game, I ran the bases, slid and made throws," Bard said. "So this was big, especially on the mental side.

"You can catch in the bullpen, but it's not like catching a game with the stops and starts. Sliding was big because I didn't know how the ankle would hold up."

Young had two comebackers ---- back-to-back by Rodriguez and Myrow.

"I didn't even think about it," Young said. "Really, it's a non-issue. If anything, I need to be more aggressive on comebackers."

Padres manager Bud Black said he would like Bard to start his rehab Sunday for Lake Elsinore in Rancho Cucamonga.

Rumor central

Sources in Phoenix said the Diamondbacks have inquired about trading for Padres first baseman/pinch-hitter Tony Clark. And, to a lesser degree, are interested in right fielder Brian Giles.

The source said the Diamondbacks are desperate for the clubhouse leadership Clark would provide, and could also use a left-handed hitting outfielder.

Padres general manager Kevin Towers wouldn't comment specifically on the rumor, but said he's exploring everything that would strengthen his club.

Welcome back

Several members of the 1998 National League champion Padres team will be honored before Saturday's game with the Braves.

The list of players scheduled to appear includes Andy Ashby, Kevin Brown, Steve Finley, Tony Gwynn, Joey Hamilton, Carlos Hernandez, Sterling Hitchcock, Trevor Hoffman, Wally Joyner, Scott Sanders, Greg Vaughn, Quilvio Veras and Donne Wall.

Because of the extended pregame ceremony, first pitch is at 7:15 p.m.

Short hops

Padres manager Bud Black said he is enjoying having a six-player bench. But he expects that to change after the All-Star break when the club opens a four-game series in St. Louis, the first of 14 straight games. Black said the club will go to 12 pitchers some time in the Cardinals series. ... RF Brian Giles didn't start for the fifth straight game because of a sore hamstring. He could be back in the lineup tonight, however. "He's persuasive," Black said. ... Black wouldn't speculate on his starting rotation after the All-Star break, but said Jake Peavy would be pitching with an extra day of rest if he starts against the Cardinals on Thursday. ... Friday was Beach Towel Night at the ballpark, but a truck with 10,000 towels was lost and never made it to Petco Park. 

First name only. Comments including last names, contact addresses, e-mail addresses or phone numbers will be deleted. Attempts to misrepresent your identity or impersonate any person will not be approved. All comments are screened before they appear online, so please keep them brief. Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff writers. Click here to view additional comment policies.