The Morning Friar – 2/19/11

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Shortly after having surgery in June to repair tears in the front and back of his right labrum (shoulder), Gregg Zaun sat alone inside a Cincinnati apartment and took stock of his reality.

“A lot of time to think,” he said.

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There were plenty of anxious moments this winter for Randy Flores, as the veteran left-hander patiently waited for a call with an offer to pitch.

Helping him, to some degree, was that this wasn’t the first time Flores has gone through such an uneasy winter.

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With position players reporting to the Padres spring training camp Friday morning, manager Bud Black’s focus will be shifting over the next week.

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Clayton Richard was the Padres’ stealth starter in 2010.

Mat Latos and Heath Bell dominated the headlines when it came to pitchers.

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If there was ever writing on the wall, it appeared on Trevor Hoffman’s, right in front of his face as last season ended.

But he wanted to be sure. He didn’t want to make what only seemed like the obviously decision. So Hoffman sat back, evaluated what he had just endured and came to the only conclusion that appeared obvious to onlookers.

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Ask members of the Padres what makes closer Heath Bell successful and they’re certain to offer a long list of attributes.

There’s the 94 mph fastball that he can command both high and low in the strike zone, and the tight, 82 mph curveball that complements it. There are also his fiery demeanor and ability to thrive in demanding situations. But Bell’s belief in his ability to throw any pitch in any situation might be the biggest reason opposing hitters find him so baffling.

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