Back in March, we took a look at Will Carroll’s Padres Team Health Report [subscription] at Baseball Prospectus. Will is the author of Saving the Pitcher and The Juice: The Real Story of Baseball’s Drug Problems. Recently he was gracious enough to answer some questions for Ducksnorts in a Q&A format. Enjoy!

Ducksnorts: Thanks very much for your time. Can you say anything about Jake Peavy’s workload thus far and what impact it might have on his future?

Will Carroll: The big jump from 98 to 195 innings [Ed note: from 2002 to 2003] is worrisome, especially after some arm problems in the following season. He came back well. I’d like to see him get a bit more efficient, clean up his mechanics just a tad more, and then I think he’ll be even better and an even safer bet to collect a Cy or two.

DS: You don’t expect Ryan Klesko’s power to return. Are there any players in recent history who have had injuries similar to Klesko’s, and if so, how did they perform after getting hurt?

WC: There’s not really good comps for him. Add in the ballpark effects and it gets even worse. Spring has been kind, and if his shoulder really has healed, that’s certainly a positive. His situation isn’t as serious as [Richie] Sexson or [Shawn] Green, so dial that back and that’s the best comp.

DS: Can Dave Roberts keep his hamstrings healthy and will it matter?

WC: It will certainly matter. The difference between Roberts and … who? [Xavier] Nady? [Freddy] Guzman? … is big, especially in certain situations. I’m not sure I count on [manager Bruce] Bochy to creatively manage his lineup. I’d say Roberts can stay healthy if his PAs are in the 400s.

DS: Quick follow-up on Roberts: It looks like he may start the season on the DL due to a groin strain. This would put Nady in center. You’d said, “The difference between Roberts and … who? Nady? Guzman? … is big, especially in certain situations.” Now that we may see Nady on Opening Day, would you care to elaborate on this statement? Is there anything else you think Padres fans should know?

WC: I think the big differences are in how they play the game. Roberts was acquired as part of the “adjust to the ballpark” move and without him, how else did they adjust exactly?

DS: What is the long-term outlook for Tim Stauffer and his shoulder?

WC: He’s certainly played well this spring. His velocity appears to be returning to the levels the Padres drafted him for and I’m told it has nasty sink. He’s supposed to be a smart pitcher with a lot of people comparing him to some good pitchers. Most interesting comment I’ve heard is that he’s a “right handed crafty lefty.”

DS: In terms of injury risk, is there an appreciable difference between kids drafted out of high school, JC, and college?

WC: That’s one I’d really like to study more. Getting the data in the minors is next to impossible. What’s more important is that the injuries we see in the majors are almost always occurring in high school, college, maybe before. We need some sort of legislation by the controlling entities to get serious about reducing pitching arm injuries.

DS: Catherine Bach or Catherine Oxenberg?
WC: Oxenberg. Sucker for an accent.

I’d like to thank Will Carroll once more for taking the time to talk with Ducksnorts. Read more of Will’s work at Baseball Prospectus and The Juice Blog.