Seems the hosting company moved my site to another server while I was on vacation and ducksnorts.com disappeared for a few days. In case you missed last Thursday’s report, check it out before proceeding.

In other news, Brian Buchanan is seeing a lot of action at first base with Phil Nevin sidelined. Jeff Cirillo and Tagg Bozied have also played there. Xavier Nady spent some time in center field Friday.

Now, in an extreme fit of laziness, I point you to several interesting and/or relevant articles and provide minimal commentary.

From the NC Times:

• Loretta finds second wind as Padre Mostly fluffy, but a nice look at the Padre second baseman.
• Fancy Petco Park is here at last — but it took extra innings
• SDSU-Houston inaugurate Petco Park with an NCAA-record crowd Over 40,000 fans watched the Aztecs blank the Cougars, 4-0. Poway native Rielly Embrey hit the first home run at Petco, down the right field line. Right-hander Scott Shumaker went the distance, fanning 14 in the process.
• Peavy back on track after an early injury Reliever Aki Otsuka misses a game due to tightness in his back. Southpaw Mike Bynum and infielder NRI Jose Nieves are opening eyes. Nieves likely will provide infield depth for Triple-A Portland.
• Weaver makes his pitch to Padres’ officials in win Jeff Weaver’s younger brother is having a dominant season at Long Beach State and is considered a possible #1 pick in the June draft. A night after SDSU hurler Scott Shumaker struck out 14, Weaver punched out 15 UCLA Bruins over seven innings of work.

From the U-T:

• MIT aerospace grad Szuminski is unique prospect on mound The odds would seem to be against the Rule V draftee, but it’s hard not to root for the guy. Definitely one of the more interesting stories to come through the ranks in some time.
• Peavy back on mound, feels back on track More info on Peavy. He threw almost exclusively fastballs Friday, averaging 89-93 mph, right about where he usually sits.
• No panic about Lawrence The right-hander’s fastball has averaged about 81 mph in his first two starts, low even by his standards. Tim Stauffer won’t pitch in games this spring but is expected to be ready when the California League starts next month. According to the Pads, the move is strictly precautionary.
• Paralyzed policeman, former Padre, returns to S.D. I remember seeing Dan Walters play in my first trip to spring training. Actually, I remember seeing him lug equipment in from the bullpen after a particularly disheartening loss to the Angels, whose right fielder, Tim Salmon, would go on to win the American League Rookie of the Year award.

From elsewhere:

• Dish of Padres pitches on Helton’s plate (Rocky Mountain News). Apparently Todd Helton was upset with the Padres for intentionally walking him in his final at-bat last season, thus denying the Rockies’ first baseman a chance at the batting crown. He’s over it now. Nice to see Helton, with the benefit of hindsight, take a little responsibility rather than pin his failings (such as they were; how bad is a .358 batting average really?) on one plate appearance in an otherwise meaningless game. Good for him.
• Petco Opener Provides Record Attendance (Baseball America)
• Pads notes: Zoning in on timing (Padres.com). Jeff Cirillo tries to correct a mechanical flaw at the plate. After two poor outings, Adam Eaton looked good in his third spring start. Bruce Bochy is leaning toward breaking camp with 12 pitchers. Defense likely will decide the battle for backup catcher between Miguel Ojeda and newcomer Tom Wilson.
• Pitching Wells: Boomer makes Padres debut (ESPN)

Shortstop battle:

         AB  R  H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO
3/11
  Greene  4  0  2  0  0  0   1  0  1
3/12
  Ordonez 5  1  1  0  0  0   1  0  0 (error)
3/13
  Greene  3  1  2  0  1  0   0  0  0
3/14
  Greene  3  0  1  0  0  0   2  *  *
  Ordonez 3  1  1  1  0  0   1  *  *

totals (thru 3/14)
  Greene  23 4  8  0  1  1   7  0  6
  Ordonez 21 2  7  2  0  0   5  0  2

*Not available.

That’s .348/.348/.565 for Greene and .333/.333/.429 for Ordonez. The only error this spring has been committed by Ordonez. It’s early, but so far Greene is doing exactly what he needed to do.

Fifth starter battle:

                IP H ER HR BB SO
Howard    3/12 2.1 3  2  0  0  3
Valdez    3/14 DNP - left side strain

totals (thru 3/14)
  Hitchcock    5.0 9  3  0  1  3  5.40
  Howard       3.2 7  7  1  3  4 17.18
  Valdez       3.0 4  2  1  1  0  6.00

Valdez’ scratch Sunday can’t help his cause. Dennis Tankersley did a nice job (2.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) in Valdez’ place.

That’s all for now. Tomorrow we’ll take a look at the first weekend of baseball at Petco Park.