"I'm really excited to be here with my new teammates and my new organization," said Alex Torres after finally making it to Peoria, Ariz.
The left-handed reliever, a Venezuela native, got to camp a couple of weeks late because of problems with his visa. Torres didn't blame the political volatility of his home country, rather the off-season trade that brought him to the Padres from Tampa Bay.
"I don't know what's going on. The trade was a little late to get my information and send it to the embassy," Torres said.
Despite his tardiness, Torres said he's ready. The 5-foot-10 pitcher has been working out while waiting for the green light to leave Venezuela.
"I started throwing two or three weeks ago. Last week, I threw two bullpen sessions because I knew the first day was starting soon," he said.
The 26-year old pitched 59 innings last year for the Rays, posting an impressive 1.71 ERA. He's expected to be a key piece to the Padres bullpen, a likely replacement for left-handed set-up man Luke Gregerson.
