On Monday, for the first time in 2011 the Padres played real baseball. Well, kind of.
Pitchers threw live batting practice, which was an improvement over coaches laying it right in there, but the environment was still a bit stale.
"It's hard for me when there's a cage around you and an L-screen in front of the pitcher," said outfielder Ryan Ludwick.
Still, getting a look at a real delivery is a good measuring stick for how much work there's left to do.
The pitchers finally got to dial it up to near-game velocity. Mike Adams, Mat Latos, Wade LeBlanc, Clayton Richard, Tim Stauffer and Dustin Moseley all said the same thing.
"Arm feels good." They even phrased it the same way. Heath Bell went with something slightly different.
"Calf feels good." Bell strained his calf a week ago and finally threw a bullpen session Monday, reporting no soreness.
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On Tuesday it'll be more live batting practice. The Padres play their first Cactus League game on Sunday against the Peoria room-mates, the Mariners.
