PEORIA, Ariz.-- Missing in action for all of 2008, Kevin Correia's changeup has resurfaced with the Padres this spring. The off-speed pitch, one manager Bud Black said is crucial to Correia having success as a starting pitcher, was front and center as the right-hander struck out five in four scoreless innings of work during a game against Korea at Peoria Sports Complex on Wednesday night.

Correia, vying for one of two jobs in the Padres' rotation, said his changeup disappeared early in 2008 when he strained his oblique and did not return last year as he posted 3-8 with a 6.05 ERA for San Francisco. Correia threw 10 changeups Wednesday, including one to strike out right-handed hitting Tae Kyun Kim.

"I've pretty much located it when I wanted to and it's got the action that I've been looking for," Correia said. "Every outing is important for me when you're in my situation."

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Meredith a dad

While many of his teammates spent Tuesday on the golf course, Padres reliever Cla Meredith enjoyed the day off with his wife, Natalie, and new baby daughter, Adellyn Sue, who was born Sunday. The child, who weighed 5 pounds, 13 ounces, is the first for the Merediths, who wed in November.

"It's so different," said a sleep-deprived Meredith. "But I wouldn't change it for anything."

Meredith -- who has three shutout innings to his credit this spring -- is expected to pitch Wednesday. Last season, Meredith finished with a 4.09 ERA in 73 appearances for the Padres.

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Durango WBC tested

Having played no higher than Single-A Lake Elsinore during his three-year pro career, Luis Durango isn't accustomed to the level of pitching he saw last week at the World Baseball Classic. But that didn't stop him from performing well for Panama against several major league pitchers, including Cincinnati starter Johnny Cueto. Durango went 3-for-5 with two walks and a stolen base in two games.

"It was a very good experience to play with lots of big leaguers," Durango said through a translator. "It wasn't easy, but I got to see a lot of big league pitchers. It teaches me how to hit (them)."

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Practice pays off

Outfielder Chase Headley didn't stay away Tuesday, opting to spent part of the morning in the cages with batting coach Jim Lefebvre to work out a few kinks in his swing. Headley, who entered Wednesday's game with a .211 average, a homer and four RBIs in 19 at-bats this spring, went 2-for-4 with a pair of two-run doubles.

"I'm kind of glad I'm going through it now instead of in April," Headley said.

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Foreign relations

Prior to the Tuesday's first pitch, Padres pitcher Cha Seung Baek spent time on the field greeting his countrymen. Baek, who was born in Pusan, South Korea, had the chance to pitch for Korea in the WBC but elected to stay with the Padres, who are giving him the chance to begin the season as the team's No. 3 starter.