SAN DIEGO -- There was nary a player to be found inside the home clubhouse at Petco Park on Tuesday afternoon, as all of them had gathered behind or near the batting cage.
Well before batting practice, Padres players, coaches and general manager A.J. Preller gathered to see pitcher Josh Johnson throw a two-inning simulated game, an important and significant step in his return from April 2014 Tommy John surgery.
When Johnson was finished, after 40 pitches, his teammates cheered and clapped.
"I'm thankful for my teammates coming out there," he said. "That was awesome.