The son of a college infielder, the brother of a second-round draft selection, Drew Pomeranz arrived in Peoria, Ariz., this spring absent the notion that anything would be handed to him. So, the seemingly mild-mannered 27-year-old created his own opportunity.
Pomeranz, whom the Padres acquired from Oakland in December, had spoken on the phone with Manager Andy Green in the offseason, and at that juncture, Pomeranz's role seemed open-ended. In late October, he'd undergone arthroscopic surgery on his throwing shoulder.
"I was feeling pretty (crummy) from my surgery, and Andy’s like, 'We’ll find a good spot in the bullpen or starting, whatever you need,'" Pomeranz said, recalling that initial conversation.