Padres notebook: Thatcher is happy with his rehab stint

Joe Thatcher, a San Diego Padres left-handed reliever, began a rehab assignment this week after missing more than the first three months of the season.

Tucson Padres: Sale of team a looming option

The Tucson Padres will be sold at the end of the season if a ballpark deal isn't finalized with a North County, Calif., city, San Diego Padres CEO Jeff Moorad told the San Diego Union-Tribune.

New Padres pitcher has multi-league résumé

After pitching in the majors for parts of three seasons and in the minors for nine seasons, John Van Benschoten entered a new world of baseball this summer.

New-look Padres return to fixed-up park

The Tucson Padres have been gone for a while. They return with a different look. Since its last home game July 6, the team has played a series in Fresno, taken its all-star break, and played a four-game series against Las Vegas at Single-A Fort Wayne (Ind.).

Pacific Coast League: Remembering Fort Wayne

The contests are "home games" for the Tucson Padres, even though they'll be played nearly 2,000 miles northeast of the Old Pueblo.

Quentin glad to be back in Phoenix

PHOENIX - As he addressed reporters during a Major League Baseball All-Star media gathering, Chicago White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin asked a couple of times what Chase Field is called nowadays.

MLB All-Star Game: Chase fans hail Prince

PHOENIX - First they booed him. Then they fell in love with him. By the end of the game Tuesday night, Prince Fielder had won over the crowd at Chase Field.

PCL: Tucson Padres All-Star hitting stride

Tucson Padres outfielder Aaron Cunningham is Tucson's lone Pacific Coast League All-Star at tonight's Triple-A All-Star Game in Salt Lake City. He has brought consistency to his game, batting .321 - more than 70 points higher than he did last season - with 63 RBIs in 78 games.

Hometown All-Star is ambassador this week

PHOENIX - As an All-Star from the host team, Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton has certain duties to fulfill at this week's Major League Baseball All-Star festivities.

MLB All-Star Game: Hometown star is ambassador this week

PHOENIX — As an All-Star from the host team, Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton has certain duties to fulfill at this week’s Major League Baseball All-Star festivities.

PCL: Healthy Blanks now firing on all cylinders

Tucson Padres first baseman Kyle Blanks ran more and ate healthier during the winter to mold himself into better shape. Through working out and gleaning advice from a nutrition book, he chipped off 15 pounds, becoming leaner for his comeback from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

PCL: Kino return 'crazy' for ex-Sidewinder

The Tucson Sidewinders are back. Well, not exactly. The team formerly known as the Sidewinders returned to Kino Stadium this week under a different alias and an almost entirely different roster from when it played in Tucson from 1998 to 2008.

Tucson Padres: Two reasons to celebrate

San Diego Padres prospect James Darnell and closer Brad Brach joined the Tucson Padres on Monday before the Fourth of July game against Reno that drew 10,678 fans. Darnell went 3 for 5 with an RBI double, but the Padres lost 6-5, breaking their eight-game winning streak.

Struggles no surprise, Feder says

With one of the few approved fireworks shows in town, the Tucson Padres expect the biggest crowd of the season tonight at Kino Stadium. Though attendance could total more than 7,000 for the Fourth of July, the Padres have struggled at the gate overall. The team's home average of 3,215 ranks …

Spring training in Tucson: 'Game of the week' proposal discussed

The Pima County Sports and Tourism Authority is exploring a spring training "game of the week" in Tucson.

Padres making habit of comeback wins

As evidenced by the latest results, the Tucson Padres offense has survived the exodus of Anthony Rizzo and Jesus Guzman to the majors. In three consecutive games, the Padres have staged large comebacks.

Tucson Padres: Inman out as starter; innings limit is quickly approaching

In more than six seasons and nearly 150 games in professional baseball, Will Inman has always been a starting pitcher. That streak ended Sunday when Inman came out of the Tucson Padres bullpen for his first relief appearance.

Tucson Padres: Tolleson has good role model in father

Just as his dad did, Steve Tolleson plays professional baseball. Just as his dad did, Tolleson reached the majors. And just as his dad could, Tolleson can play various infield positions. He plays mostly at third base for the Tucson Padres.

PCL: Cabrera proves to be quick healer

When Tucson Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera broke a bone in his right hand in May, he had an idea of what to expect during his recovery. After all, he had broken the same bone, the hamate, in his other hand in 2009.

Tucson Padres: Doors open for car nut Cunningham

Aaron Cunningham had arranged to sell his car to a guy named Tracy, but Cunningham was in for a surprise when he opened the door to his apartment. Standing outside was Ice-T, the rapper and actor.

Arizona at 100: NCAA champion wrestler won with strong grip

In celebration of Arizona’s centennial, the Star will feature our picks for the 100 best athletes, moments and teams.

Arizona at 100: 'Dr. Ed' knows golf courses well

In celebration of Arizona’s centennial, the Star will feature our picks for the 100 best athletes, moments and teams.

Two-time All-American and anchor of Desert Swarm defense finds continued success in law enforcement career

In celebration of Arizona's centennial, the Star will feature our picks for the 100 best athletes, moments and teams.

Pacific Coast League baseball: Reliever Burke finally feeling right

The recovery time after surgery was supposed to take a few months. But it took almost a year for Tucson Padres reliever Greg Burke to feel like his old self after the surgery on his right shoulder.

Arizona at 100: Dual-sport star Johnson played in three Super Bowls after success at the UA

In celebration of Arizona's centennial, the Star will feature our picks for the 100 best athletes, moments and teams.

Tucson Padres: A year and a half later, pitcher Burke finally nears recovery from shoulder surgery

The recovery time after surgery was supposed to take a few months.

Arizona at 100: Lever, one of Tucson's best, succeeded at every level

In celebration of Arizona's centennial, the Star will feature our picks for the 100 best athletes, moments and teams.

Tucson Padres: Guzman putting up Rizzo-like numbers

While he hit .365 with 16 home runs and 63 RBIs for the Tucson Padres, Anthony Rizzo garnered most of the attention from fans and the media. But one of his former Triple-A teammates is also producing an impressive offensive season.

Arizona at 100: From state's best in three sports to WNBA All Star

One of the greatest high school girls basketball players in state history, Nicole Powell was a Parade Magazine first-team All-American at Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix. She was born in Sierra Vista.

Tucson Padres: Alterations aplenty in post-Rizzo era

As Anthony Rizzo made his major-league debut Thursday with the Padres in San Diego, the Triple-A Tucson Padres rearranged their lineup, gained a new first baseman/outfielder and beat Las Vegas 6-0. Up from Double-A San Antonio, Kyle Blanks started at first and batted fourth.

Arizona at 100: More than sixty years later, PING founder's tintinnabulating putters ring strong around the world

In celebration of Arizona's centennial, the Star will feature our picks for the 100 best athletes, moments and teams.

Tucson Padres: San Diego call comes for Rizzo

Tucson Padres first baseman Anthony Rizzo is expected to make the transformation from hyped prospect to major-leaguer today.

Arizona at 100: LPGA's top money winner makes smooth transition to mommy, businesswoman

In celebration of Arizona's centennial, the Star will feature our picks for the 100 best athletes, moments and teams.

Padres 9, Tacoma 1: Rizzo to see doctor in SD

Tucson Padres first baseman Anthony Rizzo is headed to San Diego after all. He's bound for the city the major-league Padres play in - but as of Tuesday night, San Diego had yet to announce a major-league promotion.

Tucson Padres: RBI leader Rizzo 'close to ready' for making major-league debut

It's been the most frequently asked question around the Tucson Padres this season.

Arizona at 100: List of best in sports continues with Olympic wrestler

Cejudo, a Phoenix Maryvale High School graduate, won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in 121-pound freestyle wrestling.

Tucson Padres: Inman's 6 shutout innings show he's recovering nicely

Will Inman, a right-handed starting pitcher for the Tucson Padres, who underwent ulnar-nerve transposition nearly a year ago on his pitching arm, pitched perhaps his best outing of the season Saturday. He struck out eight in six scoreless innings against Tacoma.

Pacific Coast League: Hundley happy he’s back on field, and in Tucson

While he attended the University of Arizona, Nick Hundley established favorite spots in Tucson.

Pacific Coast League: Hundley happy he's back on field, and in Tucson

While he attended the University of Arizona, Nick Hundley established favorite spots in Tucson.

PCL: Former Olympian makes move from pool to ballpark

Crissy Ahmann-Perham won three medals in swimming at the 1992 Olympics, capturing two gold medals in relay events and a silver in the 100 butterfly. But nowadays, she works at a baseball stadium, rather than a swimming pool.

Wood bats prove hard adjustment for baseball team

The Pima College baseball team reached the postseason for the first time since 2007, but first-year coach Jason Hisey said the Aztecs have the potential to play significantly better.

Pacific Coast League: Scribner's big-league stint was 'all a blur'

While he was pitching in the majors earlier this year, Evan Scribner tackled a new role: throwing multiple innings in non-save situations.

Pacific Coast League Baseball: Former A's utility player to help Tucson

Through a move by the big-league organization, the Tucson Padres will add a new face and infield help this week.

Pacific Coast League: Buschmann's effort praised by manager as 'finest'

In his first two starts with the Tucson Padres, Matt Buschmann struggled with ugly results. He sported a 10.00 ERA. He issued seven walks and struck out two in nine innings.

Pacific Coast League baseball: Venable hits two home runs for Tucson

Will Venable admitted if he had the answers, he probably wouldn't be playing baseball in Tucson right now.

Pacific Coast League: From the Chukars to the Grasshoppers

Tim Hagerty heard the question numerous times: What is an Idaho Falls Chukar?

Pacific Coast League: Rizzo looks big-league ready

Less than six weeks into the baseball season, Anthony Rizzo has driven in 50 runs, 10 more than anyone else in the Pacific Coast League. So, how does he remain patient while San Diego Padres fans ponder when he'll receive his major-league debut? He credited a laid-back atmosphere.

Tucson Padres: Tuneup of mechanics has Hefner in top gear

With hitter-friendly ballparks and high altitudes, the Pacific Coast League can be unforgiving on pitchers. Right-hander Jeremy Hefner had heard about the league's elements, so he wasn't surprised. In making adjustments, he has worked on his mechanics and pitched more aggressively with his f…