Peavy, Bell due back in camp

Jake Peavy and Heath Bell will finally rejoin the team this week after an almost 3-week leave from the team while they played for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, which didn't end the way any of the players hoped.

Peavy may be the most disturbed, maybe a tad upset, with the way this final game went. He was slated to be the starter against Japan last night, but a last minute change bumped Jake to the championship game and moved Astros' right-hander Roy Oswalt to the starting role last night. Oswalt gave up six runs over 3 2/3 innings in a 9-4 loss to Japan, sending the Team USA players back to their respective Major League squads.

Although Peavy and Bell didn't exactly perform to the level they're both used to, it will be nice to see them back in camp with the Padres and use the last few weeks they have to really get ready for Opening Day on April 6th. Both of these guys have a huge roll with this club, Jake as the Opening Day starter, Heath Bell as the heir to All-Time Saves Leader Trevor Hoffman. Getting them back with their teammates may be exactly what the doctor ordered to bring them up to the level in which they're used to performing.

Peavy to make semi-final start for Team USA

Jake Peavy hasn't had the best time during the WBC, getting a no decision in the team's come from behind win over Candada in Game 1 and getting hammered by Venezuela for six runs in Team USA's 11-1 loss.

Back out west, Peavy has a chance to pitch in a park he's very familiar with, not to mention a park he's had tremendous success in. Team USA will face Japan tonight at Dodger Stadium to decide who goes on to the WBC Championship game. Jake will need to show just how dominant he can be as a starter, throw strikes, get outs and get run support. If Team USA can give Peavy the run support, I have no doubt that Jake will take care of the rest.

Peavy will need to keep his emotions in check. He can be fired up, he can be confident and ready to go, but don't be too over confident because once that happens, he starts to overthrow pitches which will get him into trouble.

Adrian switching sides?

Good for Adrian Gonzalez. The Padres' first baseman was asked if he would play for the Team USA in the WBC if they were to call him, Adrian didn't even hesitate, “why not? I qualify for both countries.”

Team USA is looking for a replacement at first base after losing Red Sox first baseman, and Boston fan favorite, Kevin Youkilis.

Adrian wouldn't be a bad guy to call, especially a guy who is a great defensive first baseman, can spray the ball all over the field and has good power. Even with that being said, I'd be surprised if it's Adrian that gets the call, but stranger things have happened.

Blanks will get fly balls in the outfield

Apparently Kevin Towers has become a full fledged fan of young first baseman Kyle Blanks. So much so, that he talked to Grady Fuson, the Padres' Director of Scouting and Player Development about getting Blanks some work in the outfield but only in pre-game workouts.

Padres' GM Kevin Towers: “We're not going to stick him in the outfield. We may hit him some fly balls in pregame, see how he does.”

This comes on the heels of Adrian Gonzalez getting ready to return to the team after Team Mexico was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic, meaning Blanks will see limited playing time.

I'm all for this move, if you can get Kyle Blanks and Adrian Gonzalez in the same lineup, it gives this offense a definite boost. Don't expect young Blanks to start the year in San Diego, Towers has already said that he'll be in Portland to start 2009, but if he impresses coaches during his workouts in the outfield, don't be surprised if it's not long before he gets the call up.

Bell continues to struggle during WBC

No more Hells Bells, no more Trevor Hoffman, so us Padre fans have put our faith in a guy we believe can do the job and do it just as well, if not better, than the All-Time Saves leader.

Heath Bell is the guy now for the Padres, the guy that will be coming in in the 9th inning to close out a Padres' victory. But if the WBC is any indication of how he'll perform, I'm more than a little worried about his ability. Bell has continued to struggle during the World Baseball Classic, his ERA sits at a hefty 10.50, giving up 3 runs in just 2 2/3 innings including giving up a run last night against Puerto Rico in USA's dramatic 6-5 win.

So, does that make you question Bell's ability to get the job done for the Padres? Or do you chalk this up to him just getting his feet underneath him and that he'll be ok when the regular season opens? The Padres need Bell to be their guy, they don't want a closer by committee situation, this team just can't handle that right now.