Pitchers and catcher reported last week. Position players who weren't already in Peoria, Arizona checked in to camp Tuesday. On Wednesday manager Bud Black, along with front office brass that included Executive Chairman Ron Fowler, got to see them workout together.
The veteran manager's dry sense of humor was in mid-season form, "We like good players, I hope they're all good. That's a good problem to have."
Many so-called baseball experts think Black does have good players, at least better ones than he had in the past. The starting rotation has been bolstered by the free agent signing of Josh Johnson. Left-hander Alex Torres, acquired from Tampa Bay for Logan Forsythe, should fill the void of Luke Gregerson in the bullpen.
The Padres first exhibition game is still a week away when they play the Seattle Mariners.
