PLAYING TIME: Early PT winners, losers in SD

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Brach, Cabrera among SD cuts

In a bit of a surprise, the Padres optioned Brad Brach (RHP, SD) to AAA-Tucson after a terrific spring in which the reliever tossed 11 IP of two-run ball that included a dominating 14/2 K/BB. His remaining options were a factor in Brach's demotion, as was Tim Stauffer's triceps injury and the shakiness of the Padres rotation this spring. All of those factors persuaded manager Bud Black to retain more experienced long-reliever / spot starter types such as Micah Owings and Anthony Bass in the early going. He's not a scout favorite, but Brach's March numbers aren't out of line with his 2011 AA-AAA numbers—72 IP, 94/12 K/BB, 2.89 ERA, 34 saves. He'll likely return to SD sooner than...

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