A Minor Flurry of Activity

Tuesday, March 29th was the deadline for teams to make a decision on Article XX(B) free agents. Any qualifying veterans in camp were due to receive a $100k retention bonus or be sent packing. The Padres saw a little of everything as a result of this deadline.

As previously reported, Philip Humber was told that he wasn't going to make the opening day roster, so he elected to retire from professional baseball. He came in to camp specifically looking for a big league job, stating early on that if he was asked to work in AAA, maybe it would be time to move on. Best wishes, Philip, and thank you for giving it a shot.

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Rehabbing veteran Brandon Morrow has seen some game action late in spring and has an outside chance of making the opening day roster, but it's more likely that he'll start the season in extended spring training or Triple-A. Either way, the Padres are retaining his services.

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Veteran lefty Matt Thornton received the best news of the bunch, as he has been assured of a spot on the Opening Day roster. He's gotten roughed up the last few times he's taken the bump, but his veteran lefty presence will join Fernando Rodney, Carlos Villanueva, and Brandon Maurer to add some stability to the Padres bullpen.

Spots are still open in the fourth and fifth starter spots, as well as four or five bullpen seats. Rule 5 pitchers Luis Perdomo and Josh Martin are still in the running, and they need to be on the 25-man roster to stay with the organization. As we near Opening Day, we await several tough decisions from Green and Preller.