--INF/OF Justin Huber was acquired from Kansas City on Wednesday in exchange for the traditional player to be named or cash considerations. Huber, 25, is 20-for-98 (.204) in 38 games for the Royals over the past three seasons.

--CF Jim Edmonds, who hadn't played since straining a calf muscle on March 6, hit in a minor league game Wednesday and went 3-for-4 with a homer against the Rangers' Class AAA team. Edmonds remains a candidate to start the season on the disabled list.

--INF Luis Rodriguez was optioned to Class AAA Portland on Wednesday, meaning the last two position roster spots will go to INF/OF Justin Huber and INF/OF Callix Crabbe, a Rule 5 acquisition.

--OF Jody Gerut and LHP Glendon Rusch had their contracts purchased by the Padres on Wednesday, assuring both a spot on the Opening Day roster. Both signed minor league contracts last winter. Rusch had a 0.73 ERA this spring. Gerut hit .389 and could start in left if Jim Edmonds opens the season on the disabled list.

--RHPs Mark Prior and Tim Stauffer were placed on the 60-day disabled list Wednesday with shoulder strains. Prior is expected to face live hitters for the first time Thursday, and he is on pace to join the Padres rotation by June 1.

--RHP Jake Peavy, who was the unanimous National League Cy Young Award winner last season, finished his spring drills with a 9.39 ERA after giving up four earned runs in three innings Wednesday against Kansas City. He is scheduled to face Houston's Roy Oswalt in the season opener Monday at Petco Park.

--RHP Enrique Gonzalez gave up six runs (five earned) on seven hits in just one inning Wednesday after apparently landing the final spot in the Padres bullpen. RHP Kevin Cameron was optioned to Class AAA Portland.

--RHP Justin Germano will be the Padres' fifth starter, earning the slot over LHP Wil Ledezma. As a consolation prize, Ledezma will open the season in San Diego's bullpen.

--LHP Justin Hampson (shoulder tendinitis), RHP Clay Hensley (shoulder strain) and RHP Carlos Guevara (right groin strain) were all placed on the 15-day disabled list.

BY THE NUMBERS
4 -- Padres remaining from the team that opened Petco Park in 2004 (RHPs Jake Peavy and Trevor Hoffman, SS Khalil Greene and OF Brian Giles). 2 -- Non-roster players who appear ready to make the Padres' Opening Day roster (OF Jody Gerut and LHP Glendon Rusch). 1 -- Spot presently available on the 40-man roster.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"He's validating pretty much what type of offensive player I thought he was. He drives the ball from both sides of the plate. And he's able to get good hitting counts on almost every at-bat." -- Padres general manager Kevin Towers on outfield prospect Chase Headley.

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