The nice thing about baseball coming back into full swing (besides the fact that baseball is back!) is that it makes my job a lot easier. I have had days during the offseason where I am digging trying to to find maybe three stories to share with you all. Today is definitely not one of those days. As a matter of fact I have somewhere around twelve tabs open as I write this. So I won't take too much space up here today and get to the more important imformation below. Here are your Padres links for today:

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Passion for baseball keeps Suppan going - Padres.com

"So here he is in camp, a veritable long shot to make a team deep on pitching. He could very well end up with Triple-A Tucson, where he can continue to pitch every fifth day, serving as an example for some of the younger pitchers in camp who are on the cusp of making it to the Major Leagues like he once was."

Ricahrd looking to return to 2010 form - Union Tribune

"The Padres believe Richard can bounce back from the surgery and again be the pitcher he was in 2010 because of the work ethic of the 6-foot-5, former University of Michigan quarterback."

Pitchers and catchers have started working out today. All over the internet I have seen pictures and videos of arms being loosened up and legs being stretched. It's a great sight to see all these guys getting ready for the upcoming season. As of right now only pitchers and catchers are required to be at camp. However, there are position players showing up as well, which is always a nice thing to see. I just read this morning that Yonder Alonso has just showed up to camp before Friday's requirement. Pretty nice to see the work ethic of some of these guys early. Here are your Padres links for today:

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Darrel Akerfelds finding respite from cancer in coaching - Padres.com

"Akerfelds had surgery in October that was done to determine if the tumor he has could be removed, a procedure that if successful enhances the survivability rate of pancreatic cancer patients. The doctors, however, saw the tumor was entwined with the surrounding arteries, making it impossible to remove."

Padres manager lays out course for 2012 - Union Tribune

On whether this team can make a run like in 2010

"We need to play consistent baseball, get our wins and we’ll see confidence and momentum show up. I think we can. The overall talent is there, everyone has to do their thing. If we play the game we think we can play, yes."

Today is finally the official first day of spring training. Pitchers and catchers report today, while players are not required to report till Friday. Team workouts begin around that time as well. Following workouts and drills and what have you, the games will begin. Then before you know it April 5^th will be here and your San Diego Padres will be taking on the hated Los Angeles Dodgers. Exciting times are here and ahead my friends, I can’t wait for it all to go forward with a full head of steam. Here are your Padres links for today:

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Retooled Padres ready to roll – Padres.com

“There might be more than just a few introductory handshakes on Sunday as these Padres hardly resemble the team that ended last season at 71-91 and in last place in the National League West.”

Corey Brock tells us what is going on during day one – Follow The Padres

“Everyone is here on time, according to manager Bud Black. It doesn’t appear anyone will have any restrictions either. It’s a happy, healthy clubhouse.”

You would think that after writing this every day since October that I would know the date from day to day by now. Nope. Yesterday just after submitting the article I had to sign a paper and date it. I had to ask what the date was, even though I put the date in every title. It's right there in front of me. Anyways there is an important date coming up very soon. When I say very soon I mean as in tomorrow. Pitchers and catchers finally report! Then the rest of the team will report the next day and spring training will be under way. Do you smell that? Yeah that's baseball in the air. Here are your Padres links for today:

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Backup infield job up for grabs at Padres camp - Padres.com

"One battle to watch this spring is for the backup infield job, which figures to come down to Everth Cabrera or Logan Forsythe, with some consideration made for Andy Parrino."

A lot of story lines to follow around the league this spring - Union Tribune

One being the NL West:

"In a division that’s had four different champions since 2006, the Padres had the busiest offseason, replacing the departed Jed Hoyer with Josh Byrnes, who started firing off trades left and right."