On Thursday, pitchers, catchers and several other San Diego Padres arrived in Peoria, Arizona for spring training as the countdown to the 2016 season is officially underway.
Pitchers Andrew Cashner and James Shields, manager Andy Green and outfielder Matt Kemp were some of the first players to arrive at the club’s complex.
Spotted reporting to #PadresST ?? pic.twitter.com/fer0LMmXBc
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) February 18, 2016
Kemp took some time to talk to the team’s new bench coach, and of the MLB’s most prolific sluggers of all-time, Mark McGwire.
Mark McGwire and @TheRealMattKemp before he steps into the batting cage #PadresST pic.twitter.com/CYLXfHfE6s — San Diego Padres (@Padres) February 18, 2016
Green then took some time to answer questions from the media after the first workouts of spring training.
Being the first day on the job himself, he thinks that jitters are natural, and something that should happen.
“I think there’s always butterflies on a new job for anybody. Kind of lets you know you’re alive, let’s you focus on your job,” he said to Padres.com
Another point of concern as far as pitchers and catchers go is the health of potential closer Fernando Rodney.
“The report from him is he feels really good. We’re gonna bridle him a bit early on,” Green said.
