Xavier Nady and Tommy Medica make Padres 25-man roster

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego, CA- The San Diego Padres have set their 25-man roster to begin the season. Tommy Medica and Xavier Nady were selected to make the roster after they each had an excellent spring. Medica was in my opinion was a lock to make the opening-day roster. As he was the Padres best hitter this spring and deserved to begin the season with the Padres. Nady was probably going to begin the season in Triple-A, but the injury to Carlos Quentin allowed him to make the roster to start the season.

Expect Tommy Medica to be the teams starting left-fielder to begin the season, with Xavier Nady and Seth Smith rotating in.

Kyle Blanks, who was battling with Medica and Nady all spring for the final roster spot was optioned to Triple-A El Paso. Blanks had a solid spring, but Medica and Nady just out hit Blanks and provide other intangibles that Blanks cannot.

Overall the Padres will carry 12 pitchers, three catchers, five outfielders and five infielders begin the season.

Pitchers: Joaquin Benoit, Andrew Cashner, Robbie Erlin, Ian Kennedy, Donn Roach, Tyson Ross, Tim Stauffer, Huston Street, Eric Stults, Dale Thayer, Alex Torres, Nick Vincent.

Catchers: Yasmani Grandal, Nick Hundley, Rene Rivera

Infielders: Yonder Alonso, Everth Cabrera, Jedd Gyorko, Chase Headley

Outfielders: Alexi Amarista, Chris Denorfia, Xavier Nady, Seth Smith, Will Venable, Tommy Medica