The strained calf injury suffered by CF Jim Edmonds on March 6 has further muddled a tenuous outfield situation. The possibility that Edmonds could start the season on the disabled list would leave the Padres with one proven major league starter (Brian Giles) in the outfield. Rookie Chase Headley has been the spring's most effective hitter, although he will start the season playing left field for Class AAA Portland. The last two spots on the bench, the last spot in the rotation and at least one spot in the bullpen were still up for grabs going into the final week of spring training.

ROTATION:

1. RHP Jake Peavy

2. RHP Chris Young

3. RHP Greg Maddux

4. LHP Randy Wolf

5. RHP Justin Germano

Led by unanimous Cy Young Award winner Peavy, it's a solid rotation if everyone is healthy. Young has shown no problems with the back issues that bothered him at the end of each of the past two seasons. Both Wolf and RHP Mark Prior, who is scheduled to join the rotation by the end of May, are coming off surgery. Wolf has not missed an outing this spring. Prior is slightly ahead of his rehab schedule.

The battle for what could be a caretaker role for the No. 5 spot this spring has been very interesting. After almost being written off after going 2-10 late last year after a 5-0 start, Germano showed up with better velocity and a changeup that put him back into the picture. Semi-ditto for LHP Wil Ledezma.

Because of the medical history of Wolf and Prior, the Padres are going to want at least one starter waiting in the wings at Portland.

BULLPEN:

RHP Trevor Hoffman (closer)

RHP Heath Bell

RHP Cla Meredith

RHP Enrique Gonzalez

LHP Joe Thatcher

LHP Glendon Rusch

LHP Wil Ledezma

Everyone has been watching Hoffman this spring to see what his reaction would be after blowing two saves in the final three games of 2007, costing the Padres a spot in the National League playoffs. Plus, Hoffman had elbow surgery for the first time last October to remove several floating objects. Hoffman has looked like Hoffman.

Setup man Bell worked 93 2/3 innings over 81 appearances last season and struck out 102. He is seen as being the Padres' post-Hoffman closer. With RHP Doug Brocail gone to Houston, Meredith opens the season as the seventh-inning man, although Rusch also fits the mold. Ledezma will win a spot in the bullpen if he is not the No. 5 starter. Cameron was slowed this spring by a hamstring strain and a broken thumb on his throwing hand, but he should be ready by Opening Day. Thatcher is used as both a situational reliever and multi-inning man.

LHP Justin Hampson will start the season on the disabled list with a sore shoulder. RHP Clay Hensley is throwing without pain following shoulder surgery. He is expected to be ready for duty as a reliever by mid- to late April and as a starter by May.

LINEUP:

1. RF Brian Giles

2. 2B Tad Iguchi

3. 3B Kevin Kuzmanoff

4. 1B Adrian Gonzalez

5. SS Khalil Greene

6. LF Jody Gerut

7. CF Scott Hairston

8. C Josh Bard

If healthy, CF Jim Edmonds is scheduled to hit third with Hairston moving to left. Gerut, who missed most of the past two seasons with knee problems, has won a job even if Edmonds is ready.

Giles is not your traditional leadoff hitter and isn't a threat to steal, but the Padres believe he will return to close to his career .404 on-base percentage this season.

The Padres hit .264 on the road last season compared to .235 at home. They also averaged a full run a game more on the road.

Hairston hit eight homers in 87 at-bats with the Padres last year.

One of the secret weapons is Bard, who hit .406 with runners in scoring position last year and .285 overall. The Padres expect a big season from Gonzalez who has hit .292 with 84 doubles, 54 homers and 182 RBIs in two seasons with the Padres.

Gonzalez (age 25), Greene (28) and Kouzmanoff (26) give the Padres an infield with their best years ahead.

Aside from Gonzalez and Greene, the Padres have no one who can approach 30 homers. The lack of speed is also an issue.

RESERVES:

C Michael Barrett

1B Tony Clark

INF/OF Callix Crabbe

INF/OF Justin Huber

OF Paul McAnulty

Of course, this changes if Edmonds doesn't start the season on the disabled list. Barrett looked much stronger this spring than he did last season after joining the Padres from the Cubs. Crabbe is a Rule 5 draftee with a lot of upside, including the speed that the Padres lack everywhere else. But can he play well enough to be a backup at shortstop? That could open the door to Robles or Luis Rodriguez. In terms of versatility, this bench lacks what Geoff Blum gave it the past three seasons.

Clark is a key figure. The Padres have never had a winning record in interleague play. One reason, in the mind of general manager Kevin Towers, is a DH-style hitter for games played at American League parks. Clark is that bat. The switch hitter could also give Gonzalez a break at first, although he is a better hitter from the left side.

Depending on the health of Edmonds, McAnulty, who has had a solid spring and is out of options, could be the odd man out -- unless the Padres decide to go with Robles (or Rodriguez) in the 25th spot over Crabbe.

ROOKIE WATCH: LF Chase Headley will not follow the Padres to San Diego. But if he gets off to a fast start with Class AAA Portland at both the plate and in the field, he'll be in the Padres' lineup much sooner than later. Prediction: May. 2B Matt Antonelli is next in line. He will start the season in Portland, but for him to move to San Diego would certainly mean an address change for Tad Iguchi. If INF/OF Callix Crabbe makes the team, the Padres will give him plenty of opportunities.

MEDICAL WATCH:

CF Jim Edmonds (strained right calf) left the March 6 game and has yet to return to spring training play. He might not be ready for Opening Day.

RHP Clay Hensley (right labrum surgery in September 2007) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 21. He was throwing from the mound in late March. He expects to be in condition to join the bullpen by mid-April and possibly start by May 1.

RHP Mark Prior (right shoulder surgery in April 2007) went on the 60-day disabled list retroactive to March 21. He was throwing in spring training and was ahead of schedule. He hopes to join the Padres rotation around June 1.

LHP Justin Hampson (sore left shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 21.

RHP Tim Stauffer (right shoulder strain) went on the 60-day disabled list retroactive to March 21.

RHP Carlos Guevara (right groin strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 21.

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