PADRES NOTES: Marlins' trade offer for Bard rebuffed

By DAN HAYES - Staff Writer | Wednesday, July 30, 2008 12:30 AM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- In their attempts to find a catcher, the Florida Marlins inquired about the availability of the Padres' Josh Bard on Tuesday, a team source said.

Another source said the offer wasn't nearly enough for Bard, who was activated from the disabled list Thursday. Bard, who has a salary of $2.23 million this season, is hitting .217 with a home run and 11 RBIs in 138 at-bats after missing more than two months with a high ankle sprain. The 30-year-old is 4-for-8 with a homer since returning.

Though eligible for arbitration after the season, Bard is under club control through 2010.

Last season, Bard hit .285 with five homers and 51 RBIs, including a .406 average with runners in scoring position. He also earned high praise from a pitching staff that led the league in ERA and set a franchise record with 20 shutouts.

 

Talented Tomko

Pitcher Brett Tomko displayed the product of one of his other talents in the Padres' clubhouse: a painting of Trevor Hoffman.

Tomko, who has been on the disabled list since July 1 with a sore elbow, said the portrait is one of 10 to 12 he has completed for teammates. An art student in high school and college, he also painted the cover of the Los Angeles Dodgers' 2006 postseason guide.

"It's good and it's bad," Tomko said. "Sometimes I work into the night when I get dialed in. ... Typically, I'll travel with a separate suitcase for paints and a canvas rolled up. It's a good way to relax."

Estes on the way

Shawn Estes reported no soreness after a 30-pitch bullpen session on Monday. The left-hander threw all fastballs and changeups in his first activity since he broke his thumb in a fall down the steps at AT&T Park in San Francisco on May 30.

"It's getting there," Estes said. "It was the first time off the mound in eight weeks; you can't expect to throw 100 (mph)."

Estes will throw in the bullpen on Wednesday and Saturday, followed by a simulated game next Tuesday. He's scheduled to make his first rehab start for Single-A Lake Elsinore on Aug. 9.

 

Short hops

The Padres made no progress toward a trade of RHP Greg Maddux, a club source said. Maddux emphatically waved his cap as he left the field Monday night before noting after the game that he was unsure what would happen in the next few days. The comments fueled more speculation that Maddux could be traded before Thursday's non-waiver deadline. Manager Bud Black had a different interpretation, however. "I just think he recognized (the crowd)," Black said. "He was thanking the crowd for their support." ... Closer Trevor Hoffman was unavailable Tuesday after earning saves in each of the previous four games. ... OF Chip Ambres was designated for assignment to make room for RHP Chris Young. ... Fox has decided not to carry the Padres' Aug. 30 home game against Colorado, so the team bumped the start time from 12:55 p.m. to 7:05 p.m. ... The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned RHP Micah Owings to Triple-A Tucson, one day after he extended his winless streak to eight starts.