GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Heath Bell is one of two remaining recognizable mugs in what has become an ever-changing and faceless Padres' bullpen.
On Wednesday, Padres general manager Kevin Towers added another name with the acquisition of Edward Mujica from the Cleveland Indians for cash or a player to be named. To make room, the Padres waived Justin Hampson, who could be re-signed to a minor league deal if he clears waivers.
The move is another in a seemingly endless wave of spring transactions, as the Padres move into a new era without Trevor Hoffman, who departed via free agency after 16 seasons. With Bell sliding into the ninth-inning role as the team's new closer, the Padres have tried anything and everything to fill in the other six spots.
Though saddened by Hampson's departure, Bell said he understands that the Padres are trying to address what only three weeks ago was considered a crisis.
"What happened with Hampson is really sad," Bell said. "It's kind of a shock, but it is what it is. KT's just trying to put the best group of guys together. The guys I've seen so far, they've been doing well and pitching instead of going out there and throwing. … Right now, I think we have the advantage even though Padres fans don't know who we are."
Before spring training, the Padres were hoping that nonroster invitee Chris Britton and rookie Mark Worrell -- who came over in a trade from St. Louis -- could handle the late innings. But Britton was unimpressive, and Worrell's season ended on March 20 when he learned that he would need reconstructive elbow surgery.
At the time, Towers was in a panic. But after several weeks of scouring everything from the waiver wire to Craigslist, he's happy with how the relief corps is shaping up.
"Three weeks ago, we weren't too comfortable with our 'pen," Towers said. "That's why we went out searching for some arms. … Only time will tell, but I like our repertoire."
Manager Bud Black thinks that his bullpen has "punch," an attribute that was missing last season, when the Padres used 27 relievers who combined for a 4.45 ERA.
In Mujica, the Padres received a hard-throwing right-hander who was once considered for the Indians' closer's role. His arsenal includes a 92-mph fastball, a slider and a split-finger fastball.
He joins Duaner Sanchez, who has seen increased fastball velocity since he was claimed off waivers from the New York Mets in the mid-March. On Sunday, Sanchez said he felt like his off-speed pitches were sharp and his fastball command was improving. That was before he hit 91 mph on the radar gun on Tuesday, a great sign according to multiple Padres observers.
Several years removed from shoulder surgery, Edwin Moreno is living up to the hype of once being regarded as an upper-level pitching prospect in the Texas Rangers' organization. Moreno is throwing 93 mph and batters are hitting .100 against him this spring with 10 strikeouts and only one walk.
Cla Meredith is throwing as hard as he has since the 2007 season, and has an improved slider. Eulogio "Frankie" De La Cruz has already hit 98 mph on the radar gun and has a decent changeup but can be erratic.
The final spot is up for grabs between Arturo Lopez and Luke Gregerson. Lopez, an eight-year minor leaguer, has 12 strikeouts and three walks in 11 2/3 innings. Gregerson, meanwhile, has impressed the coaching staff with a sharp slider and better-than-advertised sinker since coming over to complete the Khalil Greene trade.
"It's a lot of new faces," Bell said. "It's going to be interesting."
Who are these guys?
With only Heath Bell and Cla Meredith returning from 2008, Padres fans are bound to see a bevy of new faces in the bullpen this season. Here's a rundown:
Duaner Sanchez
Released by the New York Mets last month, with his velocity still down after he injured his shoulder in a 2006 taxi accident.
Edwin Moreno
Once a top prospect in the Texas organization, he has recovered from a shoulder injury and has looked sharp this spring.
Edward Mujica
Strike thrower was once considered for the closer's role in Cleveland but ran out of minor-league options.
Frankie De La Cruz
A hard thrower who was out of options in Florida, he can throw 98 mph but averaged four walks per nine innings in the minors.
Arturo Lopez
Spent most of last season on loan to Mexico City; the left-hander made three appearances in Caribbean Series.
Luke Gregerson
The player to be named later in the Khalil Greene deal, he has shown a better sinker and a nasty slider in limited outings.
Contact staff writer Dan Hayes at dhayes@nctimes.com. For instant updates on the Padres, go to Twitter.com/nctsports.
