GROOME PUSHING FOR SPOT
Return in Hosmer trade wants to make good for new team
Jay Groome might be pitching his way onto the Padres roster.
That is, if there is a spot. Drew Pomeranz threw to batters again Friday, a progression that would seem to give him a chance to be in the bullpen come March 30. And starter Joe Musgrove stepped up to throwing long toss, as he pushes to defy the odds and return in time to begin the season.
“It’s amazing to see,” Padres manager Bob Melvin said of Musgrove’s progress since fracturing his left big toe on Feb. 27. “Still probably a big long shot. There’s a lot of time left to figure out what we’re going to do.”
Meanwhile, what Groome is doing is at least forcing the Padres to consider him.
The big left-hander on Friday overcame some occasional command issues and the home plate umpire’s inconsistent interpretation of the strike zone to throw four more scoreless innings in a 1-0 Cactus League loss to the Royals.
“I came into this camp just trying to turn some heads and really prove to these guys that I’m ready,” Groome said after throwing 67 pitches and running his scoreless innings total to 102⁄3 innings in four appearances. “I think I’ve been doing that. I’ve found a really good groove here so far, and I’m just telling myself this is it and really just going out there and keeping my nose on the grindstone and not really worrying too much about results. But it’s always in the back of my head, especially (since) I know this camp is pretty important for me. Just want to … show these guys that I can contribute and hopefully be a part of something special up there.”
The 24-year-old Groome was among a group of a halfdozen pitchers the Padres were eyeing with a special interest entering spring training.
Groome, Brent Honeywell, Reiss Knehr, Adrian Morejon, Julio Teheran and Ryan Weathers were in the running to possibly earn a spot as a long reliever and/or spot starter or to show they could be dependable depth posted in Triple-A.
The group of contenders to be on the roster if Pomeranz and/or Musgrove is not ready is likely down to Groome, Morejon and Teheran.
Teheran, 32, has pitched well and is a nine-year veteran. Morejon, 24, is perhaps the most talented of the bunch and is seen as a member of the rotation in 2024 and beyond.
Groome has an improved change-up that he weaponizes against left-handed batters and a cutter that breaks effectively in on right-handed batters plus three other pitches he moved around the zone on Friday.
“He was fantastic again,” Melvin said. “Really efficient, pitching to both sides of the plate. … He continues to go out there and put up zeros and fight for a job. You also look (at how he didn’t) get off to a great start maybe with balls and strikes and then recovers in the middle of it. All those things come into play.”
Groome, acquired in a trade that sent Eric Hosmer, two minor leaguers and a little more than $43 million to cover most of what remained on Hosmer’s contract to the Red Sox, doesn’t just want to make his major league debut sooner than later. He is aware that he was the return for Hosmer.
“I think it really comes down to the trade,” he said. “I mean, I know they gave up a lot for me. I take pride in that and just want to show these guys that I can do it at the highest level and not just be a depth option. I would love to work my way up there and be a part of something special, because it’s coming.”
Pomeranz update
Pomeranz took another step closer to his Cactus League debut, which indicates the left-hander’s goal of being on the opening-day roster is in reach.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Pomeranz said Friday after throwing live batting practice for the second time this week. “Definitely feels good to hit these steps and keep progressing on. I just can’t wait to get in the game.”
Pomeranz, who missed all of last season following August 2021 flexor tendon surgery, threw 19 pitches Friday. His command was far better than when he threw 15 pitches to hitters on Tuesday.
The left-hander was unsure what the next step is but believes he will throw another live batting practice in a few days. There are almost three weeks before the March 30 opener, enough time for Pomeranz to pitch another time or two on a back field and then make a handful of Cactus League appearances.
“We have plenty of time,” he said. “… I’m focused on getting ready for opening day. I don’t care how many games I get in here as long as I get a few and I feel good. As long as I’m effective.”
Stammen departs
Craig Stammen walked off the mound with head athletic trainer Mark Rogow at his side after feeling pain in his right shoulder while pitching the eighth inning of the Padres’ loss to the Royals.
“Doesn’t sound great,” Melvin said. “But he’s been through some stuff before. So we’ll see how he is (today).”
Stammen pitched much of 2022 with a severe shoulder injury, missing two months in the middle of the season and receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection during the season and another couple in the offseason.
The team’s longest-tenured player, Stammen has pitched more innings (3941⁄3) than any major league reliever since joining the Padres in 2017. He is in camp on a minor league deal and had been pushing for a roster spot. Stammen, who turned 39 on Thursday, recorded two quick outs before leaving Friday’s game, bringing his Cactus League total to four scoreless innings in five appearances.
Campusano still sidelined
Catcher Luis Campusano missed another game as he works through a balky hamstring.
Campusano has not played since Monday, and Friday was likely the second time he would have caught in that span. Melvin said Campusano, who has continued hitting and doing limited catching activity, won’t play “for a few more days.”
Asked if this was a concern, Melvin said, “It’s not if (a few days) is his timetable.”
Austin Nola is expected to be the Padres’ primary catcher with Campusano serving as the second catcher. Behind them is Pedro Severino, who has started in place of Campusano this week. Brett Sullivan, pegged for Triple-A El Paso, is playing for Italy in the World Baseball Classic.
Notable
Left fielder Juan Soto departed Arizona on a red eye flight Thursday night and worked out with his Dominican Republic teammates on Friday in Miami. Soto had been held back in San Diego to make sure a “tight” left calf was healthy. The Dominican plays its World Baseball Classic opener today against Venezuela.
• Adam Engel will make his Cactus League debut today against his former team, the White Sox. Engel, who had been rehabbing a strained right calf, was signed in January to be an extra outfielder.