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By Corey Brock and Gina Mizell / MLB.com
08/26/10 7:42 PM ET
- Venable settles into left after Ludwick trade
- Despite win, LeBlanc frustrated by Drew
- November shows to kick of concert series
Young threw about 55 pitches to Matt Stairs, Luis Durango and Scott Hairston over three innings, with a short break between each frame. It was an increase from his first simulated game in Milwaukee on Saturday, where he tossed 38 pitches over two innings.
"I felt better as I went," Young said. "It's nice to focus on how I feel and stuff versus what my arm's doing."
Padres manager Bud Black also said that he thought Young improved throughout the session, noting that the last 30 pitches were better than the first 25.
"As he got into it, I thought he threw the ball better," Black said. "I think the main thing is he's feeling healthy. His arm is still gaining strength."
The next step for Young will depend on how his shoulder responds in the coming days, but it could be a Minor League rehab assignment. Black said the Padres will remain cautious with how they handle the starter's recovery.
"[It's] too early to tell," Black said. "We'll see how he comes out of this. That was good work, so we'll see. We'll evaluate it and discuss it over the next couple days and come up with another plan."
Still, Young is optimistic that he can return to the Padres this season.
"It's definitely my goal -- not just to pitch, but to be successful and win," Young said. "Certainly, I'm not trying to get ahead of myself. There's still some tests to pass, but I wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't my goal.
"It would be easy to shut it down and just say I'll strengthen it and worry about pitching later, but that's not the case. I want to pitch, I want to win, I want to help this team make a strong run here. And if things keep going according to plan, I'm capable of that."
Venable settles into left after Ludwick trade
SAN DIEGO -- When the Padres acquired right fielder Ryan Ludwick at the Trade Deadline, many wondered what it would mean for Will Venable, who had patrolled that position for the majority of the first four months of the season.
It appears he's found a new home in the opposite corner.
Venable made his 13th start in left since the Ludwick trade against the D-backs on Thursday and said he is getting more comfortable in the position by the day.
"There was really nothing ever talked about," Venable said of the defensive change. "When Luddy came over here, I was kind of struggling to prove that I should be in the lineup every day. It was just kind of like, 'You're in left,' which was fine with me. I was happy to be in the lineup."
The biggest adjustment Venable said he's had to make in left field is training himself to reverse his initial break on balls hit over his head that trail towards the line, which is something he's been working on with first base coach Rick Renteria.
"I've gotten in trouble a couple times where a ball's been hit right over my head off the bat and I break to my left, but it's fading towards the line, so I have to redirect myself," Venable said. "Basically, just little things like that, just kind of forgetting about the instincts I had in right and getting a whole new set of them for left field has been my challenge."
But even though Venable has had to make some minor tweaks to his defensive game with the position switch, he said playing in the outfield is still all about reaction. That was probably best-evidenced in the second inning against the D-backs on Tuesday, when he made a diving catch in left-center on a ball hit by Ryan Roberts.
"I have confidence in myself that even though I might be a little off, that I can use my athleticism to make up for lost ground," Venable said. "When it comes down to it, when the ball's going to be hit in the air, you've got to go catch it."
Despite win, LeBlanc frustrated by Drew
SAN DIEGO -- A day after picking up his eighth victory of the season, San Diego pitcher Wade LeBlanc was still a little miffed that he was never able to get D-backs shortstop Stephen Drew out on Wednesday.
"Four mistakes, all to the same hitter," LeBlanc said, shaking his head. "Lefty [pitcher] on lefty [batter] ... the pitcher is supposed to have an advantage."
LeBlanc allowed three runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings in a victory over Arizona, with four of those hits belonging to Drew.
"They were all fastballs that were supposed to be down and away, but instead were over the plate," LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc was visibly upset when he was removed with two outs in the seventh inning after allowing a home run to Drew.
"I wasn't frustrated with [manager Bud Black] taking me out, but that I kept making the same mistake to the same hitter," he said.
November shows to kick of concert series
SAN DIEGO -- Live music is coming to PETCO Park.
The Padres announced Thursday that they have booked two concerts for PETCO Park during the offseason.
Singer-songwriter Jewel and supporting act Colbie Caillat will play on Nov. 5. Also, John Legend and Macy Gray will perform at PETCO Park on Nov. 6.
These are the first two confirmed shows for the Western Metal Concert Series, presented by Ashford University.
The announcement was made jointly Thursday by Padres president and COO Tom Garfinkel and Dr. Jane McAuliffe, president of Ashford University.
"We've created an intimate 6,000 seat venue within PETCO Park and have world-class talent like Jewel, Colbie Caillat, John Legend and Macy Gray coming for San Diegans to enjoy," Garfinkel said in a statement.
"We'd like to thank Ashford University for helping to make this a reality and we're proud that all net proceeds will go to Stand Up to Cancer."
In May, the Padres became the first Major League team to partner with Stand Up To Cancer, setting a goal of raising $500,000 for collaborative cancer research.
These concerts and future concerts will take place on a stage that will face the Western Metal Supply Co. building down the left field line at the ballpark with a configuration that will accommodate about 6,000.
Doors for both concerts open at 6:30 p.m. PT. Presale for Padres season ticket holders will begin Tuesday, Aug. 31, at 9 a.m. PT, and tickets will go on sale to the general public Thursday, Sept. 2, at 10 a.m. PT.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.padres.com/concerts or by phone at 619-795-5555.
Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. Gina Mizell is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
