Klesko back with Padres
SAN DIEGO (AP) - Ryan Klesko was activated Wednesday for what will most likely be his final games with the San Diego Padres.
The first baseman-left fielder, who's making $10 million this year, underwent surgery on his left shoulder in April and hasn't played this season. He was bothered by soreness in his throwing shoulder late in spring training and started the season on the disabled list.
"I thought I'd be back at the end of July or August," said Klesko, who has 272 homers and 941 RBIs in parts of 14 major league seasons. But he said his throwing didn't come back as quick as his hitting, and he hurt his back during a rehab assignment.
"It's definitely been a frustrating couple of weeks for me," Klesko said. "I was just depressed the whole time. I couldn't really do anything.
"I've got to look at the other end of it, too. I played pretty healthy up until the last couple of years. The last couple of years have been frustrating. But I've always taken care of myself and trained hard. You just get to that age where stuff starts happening. At least I'm back."
Klesko has been bothered by back, neck and shoulder ailments the past few years. He had season-ending surgery on his right shoulder in September 2003, and has hit only 27 homers since 2004.
He hit a career-low nine homers in 2004. Last year, he led the Padres with 18 homers but had a career-low .248 average.
Klesko will give manager Bruce Bochy another left-handed bat off the bench.
His injury opened the way for Adrian Gonzalez to become the everyday first baseman. Gonzalez, the first overall pick in the 2000 draft, by Florida, is in his first full major league season. Gonzalez leads the Padres with 23 homers and is tied with Brian Giles with 75 RBIs.
Klesko was obtained from Atlanta in December 1999, when the Padres still played at Qualcomm Stadium. He was one of the Padres' sluggers who had trouble adjusting to spacious Petco Park, which opened in 2004.
Klesko said he would like to play another year, but Padres general manager Kevin Towers said it's doubtful San Diego will bring him back. The Padres hold an $8 million option for next year, or a $500,000 buyout.
"I'd have to definitely look at my options and see," Klesko said. "There might be some teams out there that I can go out there and get 500 at-bats. That would be the decision I'd have to make."
Klesko, who played in three World Series with Atlanta, winning a ring in 1995, said he's not necessarily pushing to reach 300 homers and 1,000 RBIs.
"I'll play because I like putting on the uniform and coming out here and competing. I enjoy coming to the ballpark. If those numbers come, then great. If not, I still had a good run at it," he said. "Ultimately, it just comes down to getting back to the playoffs and getting that team thing going. That's the whole thing."
The Padres went into Wednesday night's game against Arizona with a one-half game lead over Los Angeles in the NL West.
To make room for Klesko on the roster, the Padres put right-handed reliever Doug Brocail on the 60-day DL with a strained right hamstring.
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