PEORIA, Ariz. -- Padres general manager Kevin Towers wouldn't confirm Thursday that left-handed starter Sterling Hitchcock would open the season on a rehabilitation assignment in Lake Elsinore, but Padres director of player development Tye Waller said the possibility is very likely. Hitchcock may even start the Storm's home opener against Inland Empire on April 9.

Hitchcock has a strained groin, and hasn't pitched in a game in nearly two weeks. He has been slated as the Padres' fifth starter, but because they have two off days scheduled in their first two weeks of the season, the Padres could go with four starters until they need Hitchcock on April 17.

"We've talked about starting him (in Lake Elsinore) for two starts," Waller said. "It looks like it's going to happen.

"That's the plan right now."

The Padres would presumably send Hitchcock to Lake Elsinore rather than Triple-A Portland (Ore.) to keep him close by.

Things could change, however, by the time the Padres have to set their big-league roster before Opening Day on Monday. Leaving Hitchcock off the active roster would allow them to carry an extra relief pitcher for the season's first 10 games. The club has a handful of candidates fighting for the last few bullpen spots, essentially the only position on which the club's brass has yet to decide.

Hitchcock last threw Tuesday, so his regular day would fall on the same date the Storm open at The Diamond.

Hitchcock pitched six games for the Storm while recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2001, during his first stint with the organization. He played for San Diego from 1997-2001, winning at least nine games in his first three seasons with the club.

He was named the MVP of the National League Championship Series during the Padres' World Series run in 1998. During that postseason, he went 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA while pitching against four Cy Young Award Winners -- Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and David Cone.

Not-so-Big Mac

First baseman Paul McAnulty, who is likely to open the season with the Storm, has a new, sleeker look to him this spring. Previously thought of as a bad-body player with a good bat, McAnulty said he lost 30-35 pounds this winter.

The 5-foot-10 player had ballooned to about 245 pounds last fall, he said.

"I had a goal set for myself, and I stayed on it," said McAnulty, who laid off fried foods and increased his workout regimen in the offseason. "Hopefully it works out, and that way I can say I gave it my all and didn't let my weight be a problem.

"I got the reputation of being like the John Kruk of the Padres organization, or the Mo Vaughn. They could only stick me at first base."

McAnulty said he hopes his slimmer physique will give him he versatility to play the outfield as well as first base.

He was fourth among Padres minor-leaguers last year with 73 RBIs.

Stonard progress slowed

One of the only serious casualties of the Padres' minor-league spring training has been infielder Peter Stonard, who broke his left (non-throwing) thumb earlier in camp.

Waller said he took the news particularly hard because Stonard had made progress this spring. The organization's fourth-round draft pick in 2003 hit .291 in 65 games last season and was on track to start with Lake Elsinore this year.

"He was having a solid spring training and was inked in for second base," Waller said. "Any time you have a guy go down, it's disappointing."