I never thought this day would come.
Padres non-tender Hensley, Haeger: Without offers, arbitration-eligible pitchers become free agents
Aside from Hensley and Haeger, the Padres tendered all of their arbitration-eligible players -- outfielders Scott Hairston and Jody Gerut, infielder Luis Rodriguez and pitcher Heath Bell.
The Padres, who added two players in Thursday's Rule 5 Draft, now have 37 players on the 40-man roster after non-tendering Hensley and Haeger.
There will be many young ladies crying tonight as their dreamy lil' Clay Hensley is no longer a San Diego Padre.
I thought for sure they'd keep Hensley around to fill out the pitiful bullpen, but maybe Hensley just isn't ready to be that guy anymore. Alderson was asked about Hensley in his last interview and vaguely answered there was no plan for him at this time.
Clay Hensley started his career in the Padres Minor League system with a 15 game steroids suspension in 2005. He served his time and then became a very valuable member of the Padres in the 2005 stretch run and rotation in 2006 going 11-12..
One of his most memorable games was when he was hit in the back of the head by a broken bat in Dodger Stadium, was stitched up and returned to the game to claim a victory.
On the downside he also gave up Barry Bonds' 755th home run then later signed the baseball seemingly proud of his accomplishment.
His 2007 and 2008 were disappointments due to injury and complaining about being optioned to AAA. He rejoined the Padres eventually in a bullpen roll which he never seemed to like very much. Today he is a free agent, today I'm free.