Countdown To Spring Training: Report Dates Revealed For San Diego Padres

[Steve Drumwright]

They are the four best words in baseball: pitchers and catchers report.

Why? Because that signals the official start of spring training, bringing Opening Day that much closer.

The San Diego Padres open camp in Peoria, Ariz., in just over three weeks, with pitchers and catchers reporting on Feb. 11 and the first full-squad workout Feb. 15. Oftentimes, players report early, depending on if they are coming back from injury or just want to get some extra work in with the coaching staff, but those are the mandatory report dates for the two groups.

Those players who are participating in the World Baseball Classic have slightly earlier report dates. Pitchers and catchers, regardless of MLB organization, must report by Feb. 11 (same as the Padres) and position players by Feb. 12.

The Padres' first exhibition game is Feb. 20 against the Seattle Mariners, the same team the Friars share the Peoria Sports Complex with. Technically, the Friars are the road team in that game, with their first home game Feb. 22 against the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. In the annual Spring Breakout game featuring top prospects from both clubs, the Padres will face the Chicago Cubs on March 21 in Mesa, Ariz.

The final exhibition game will take place in Peoria also against the Mariners on March 23.

Opening Day for the Friars is March 26 vs. two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers.

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