PEORIA, Ariz. -- Erick Aybar is trying to make the Padres as the club's starting shortstop. In camp as a non-roster invitee, he's fully recovered from sports hernia surgery that shortened his 2016 season after a trade from the Braves to the Tigers.
"It's been good," Aybar said on Friday through translator David Longley. "The regular season's getting closer every day, but I'm feeling good physically and hoping that everything turns out well."
If Aybar makes it, he'll be one of the few veterans on a 25-man roster filled with young players. The Padres could use his experience on Opening Day.