Joe Thatcher to start the season on the disabled list

San Diego Padres lefty specialist Joe Thatcher will start his second straight season on the disabled list. He has been shut down for a period of time due to a shoulder strain. He will be missed in the bullpen, but he has been in this situation before and knows how to come back from this type of injury.

"It’s a pretty similar situation to last year. Once I got over it last spring, I felt fine for the rest of the year. It’s just getting over the hump. Last year, I was starting to get better at this time. – Joe Thatcher"

The Padres picked up Randy Flores in the off-season and if he makes the roster, then he will be used as the lefty specialist in the bullpen until Thatcher comes back.