PHOENIX -- It's always a grind for Major League pitchers to reach full strength before a season begins.
This year, Padres reliever Matt Thornton essentially had to do that twice.
Thornton made the club's Opening Day roster only to injure his left Achilles before appearing in a game. On Saturday, the Padres activated him from the disabled list, following a rehab from Achilles tendinitis that lasted nearly eight weeks.
"You work so hard in the offseason and in Spring Training, then to have this happen -- you have to go through pretty much a whole 'nother offseason of two months to try and get back ready to go," Thornton said.