 |
 |
 |
|
PEORIA, Ariz. -- San Diego's Jim Edmonds had a home run and two singles in a minor league game on Wednesday but it's still uncertain if the center fielder will be available by opening day.
| Advertisement |
|||
| |||
Edmonds, who came over from St. Louis in a trade for a minor leaguer, has been sidelined since March 6 with a strained right calf. As of Wednesday morning, Padres manager Bud Black said Edmonds was "doubtful" to be on the opening day roster.
But that was before Edmonds went 3-for-4 against Texas' Triple-A squad. Edmonds didn't play in the field. San Diego must decide whether to place Edmonds on the disabled list by 9 p.m. Sunday.
"It went all right," Edmonds said. "Everything felt good. I hit the ball and ran. I wasn't trying to do too much."
Though he has been participating in baseball activities for nearly two weeks, the 37-year-old still hasn't run at full speed.
"We're still going to evaluate him the next few days to see how he is," Black said.
Earlier in the week, Edmonds felt he had turned a corner. But he said that resulted in a swollen calf.
"It's hour-to-hour," Edmonds said. "If it feels good I keep going but if it's bad I back off. I'm just seeing how far I can go each day. ... It's getting better."
The Padres must decide what to do with their outfield. Still in camp are Paul McAnulty, Jody Gerut, Brian Giles, Scott Hairston and Justin Huber, who came over from Kansas City on Wednesday in a trade for a player to be named or cash.
Gerut, who hasn't played in the big leagues since 2005, still has minor league options while McAnulty, Hairston and Huber are all out. Huber was picked up as a right-handed bat with power.
"Even when he does play we've got another tough decision to make," general manager Kevin Towers said about Edmonds.
Also Wednesday, the Padres purchased the contracts of left-hander Glendon Rusch and outfielder Gerut from Triple-A Portland. San Diego optioned right-hander Kevin Cameron and infielder Luis Rodriguez to Triple-A.
The Padres put five players on the disabled list. Right-handers Carlos Guevara (strained right groin) and Clay Hensley (right shoulder surgery), and left-hander Justin Hampson (left shoulder tendinitis) were placed on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Friday. Additionally, right-handers Mark Prior (right shoulder surgery) and Tim Stauffer (right shoulder strain) were placed on the 60-day disabled list.
