While I was off cavorting about California’s central coast, discovering my new favorite small town, Phil Nevin injured his right shoulder. Again. Diving for a ball. Again. On March 7. Again.

Details of Nevin’s injury and prognosis:

• Nevin suffers another injury (NC Times)
• Nady gets call to fill in at first (NC Times). Nevin is expected to miss a month. Nady hasn’t played first in over two years but is working with Wally Joyner. Jay Payton strained his right hammy and is out 7-10 days. Hello Brian Hunter?
• Nevin mulls conservative fielding style (U-T). Padres coach Davey Lopes on Nevin: "He comes down, and he doesn’t know how to dive." Here’s a vote for keeping Nevin on his feet and in the lineup.

Shortstop battle:

         AB  R  H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO
3/7
  Greene  4  0  0  0  0  0   0  0  3
  Ordonez 2  0  1  0  0  0   1  0  1
3/8
  Ordonez 3  0  2  0  0  0   1  0  0
3/9
  Greene  3  1  1  0  0  0   1  0  1
3/10
  Ordonez 3  0  1  1  0  0   0  0  0

totals (thru 3/10)
  Greene  13 3  3  0  0  1   5  0  5
  Ordonez 13 0  5  1  0  0   3  0  2

That’s 231/.231/.462 for Greene and .381/.381/.462 for Ordonez in equal time, if you’re keeping score at home.

Fifth starter battle:

                IP H ER HR BB SO
Valdez    3/7  2.0 2  1  1  1  0
Howard    3/7  0.1 4  5  1  3  0
Hitchcock 3/10 3.0 7  3  0  0  2

totals (thru 3/10)
  Hitchcock    5.0 9  3  0  1  3  5.40
  Howard       1.1 4  5  1  3  1 33.75
  Valdez       3.0 4  2  1  1  0  6.00

Looks like they’re not counting stats from the March 4 game, but I’ll keep ‘em in there for grins. I’d really like to see Valdez strike someone out soon.

Noteworthy:

• Jeff Cirillo committed an error Monday while playing second base. That will happen.
• Adam Eaton got pounded Tuesday against the A’s, surrendering nine runs (four earned) in just two-thirds of an inning. No cause for concern. He’s just getting his work in at this point.
• Nobody is really stepping it up in the competition for lefty in the ‘pen. Edgar Huerta, Eddie Oropesa, and Kevin Walker all have had at least one bad outing. Watch out for dark horse Mike Bynum.
• Ramon Vazquez continues to put up solid numbers while playing all over the infield. Even if he doesn’t win a starting job, he’ll be plenty useful.
• Tagg Bozied, slated for duty at Triple-A Portland, is hitting the ball well this spring. He needs a big year to reassert himself as a prospect.
• Dennis Tankersley allowed a homer (to Mark Kotsay) and hit one (off John Rheinecker) in Wednesday’s loss to the A’s. He allowed two hits in two innings, striking out four and walking none. Tankersley also singled in his only at-bat Monday against Anaheim.
• Otsuka and Trevor Hoffman continue to look sharp. Each worked a scoreless inning Wednesday.
• Brian Buchanan got the call at first base Wednesday, with Nady in right field.

Elsewhere:

• San Diego Padres Minor League Prospects (Sports Network). Tim Stauffer might be a shade high, Aki Otsuka a shade low, but overall a solid list.
• Prime Time Prospect: Josh Barfield (Padres.com)
• 2004 Top 100 Prospects: Inside The Process (BA). Old news, but I’ve been meaning to post this for a while. A look at how BA assembled this year’s list of top prospects. An entertaining and informative read.

Finally, the Ducksnorts Yahoo Fantasy Baseball League has been filled. Thanks to all who expressed interest, and to those who joined, I look forward to beating you. Seriously, it should be fun. I’ll keep everyone posted from time to time (yes, even if I’m getting pasted).

That’s all for now. If you ever find yourself in Cayucos, be sure to stop by the Cafe Della Via for pizza. It’s on the main road, toward the north end of town, just across from the antique shops (where I almost bought the crappiest electric guitar I’ve ever seen; but that’s a story for another day). You’ll be glad you did…