PEORIA, Ariz. – Carlos Quentin went 2-for-2 and drove in a run amid an uncertain future with the San Diego Padres, who lost to the Colorado Rockies 7-5 on Sunday.
The former All-Star outfielder was limited to 50 games last season and hasn’t played in more than 86 in any of the last three years due to knee trouble. The Padres then picked up starting outfielders Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Wil Myers in a flurry of offseason moves.
“I’ll be open to a trade if one comes around,” Quentin said after leaving the game in the fifth inning. “I think everyone is well aware of my situation here.”
Quentin, who said his knees feel good, started in left field and knocked in a run with a single in a four-run first. He added another single and walked.
“It was nice to get some hits,” said Quentin, who had been 0-for-5 this spring. “It was nice to play the outfield. I haven’t been out there in a while.”
Quentin, owed $8 million this season, had 36 homers and 100 runs batted in with the Chicago White Sox in 2008.
He said he’s had regular discussions with the Padres.
“Everyone knows there’s a DH in the American League,” Quentin said. “It’s something I would embrace. I’ve been open and they’ve been open.”
Yonder Alonso went 3 for 3, including a three-run double for San Diego on a rough day for starting pitchers.
Rockies left-hander Tyler Matzek threw just 18 of 42 pitches for strikes, allowing four runs and five hits while getting five outs.
Padres right-hander Tyson Ross got only three outs and gave up two unearned runs thanks to second baseman Jedd Gyorko’s error on a potential double-play grounder.
Matzek walked two and hit a batter with a pitch. He said he was “amped up” and rushing in his first spring start. “You do that, timing is off and it’s hard to throw strikes,” Matzek said. “Easy fix: stay calm.”
Rockies prospect Jon Gray followed and allowed one hit and struck out three in two scoreless innings.
Manager Walt Weiss said shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (hip) and rightfielder Carlos Gonzalez (knee) could make their spring debuts Monday. Both players had season-ending surgery in August. Outfielder Charlie Blackmon (abdominal tightness) is expected to make his spring debut this week.
Lefty reliever Rex Brothers makes his spring debut Monday against Cincinnati. Brothers has been held out of games as he worked on mechanics following a poor 2014 that included six blown saves and a 5.59 earned run average. “We wanted to get a few more (bullpen) sides in before he went out there in a game,” Weiss said.
