GLENDALE, Ariz. -- When the Padres signed veteran catcher A.J. Ellis to a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training, he appeared a lock to end up as Austin Hedges' backup this season.
Hedges, after all, was and still is the only catcher on the team's 40-man roster.
But even though Ellis has done little to hinder his chances of officially garnering that title, the job is far from locked up. In fact, the Padres could end up carrying three catchers come Opening Day.