Padres notes: Austin Nola on the move, pitching progress – The San Diego Union-Tribune

Austin Nola knew hed swiped a base before taking third during the home opener, but he strained to remember the exact circumstances (second base on Sept. 10, 2019, with the Mariners).

Stolen bases have never been a focus for the 32-year-old catcher.

Running without obstruction is a different story altogether.

No pain is nice, Nola said. Running with zero pain, it feels great. Its the first time in a couple years.

Nola broke a bone in his foot shortly after arriving via trade in August 2020. He missed another two months last summer with a left knee sprain and was slowed by a brace, in more ways than one, after his return.

It was never comfortable, said Nola, who hit .272/.340/.376 over just 56 games played last year. It was like an extra pound and a half on my leg. It made everything feel like it was just off.

These days Nola is moving around quite well as evidenced by leading the way on a double-steal on Thursday night and even advancing all the way to third on a Little League triple after a fly ball got past Atlantas right fielder.

The Padres using Nola in the two-hole is almost all about what a tough out he is walked and drove in a run on Sunday when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded but Nola, a converted shortstop, takes extra comfort in the fact that hes far from a base-clogger these days.

Its crucial to be healthy, to be available, to be moving, Nola said, to take advantage of any mistake, anything that can happen in the game. Always be ready. Its just nice to have that again.

Right-hander Mike Clevinger (knee, Tommy John surgery) threw a bullpen session before Sundays game and will shift his rehab assignment to Triple-A El Paso to pitch on Tuesday at Las Vegas. Left-hander Blake Snell (groin) will also throw a bullpen on Tuesday before deciding if hes ready to begin a rehab assignment.

What that means long term for rookie left-hander MacKenzie Gore, slated to start Wednesdays matinee against the Reds or even right-hander Nick Martinez, remains to be seen, but Padres manager Bob Melvin has largely balked at the idea of using a six-man rotation.

Well figure it out, Melvin said Sunday. Typically things transpire along the way, as weve seen to this point. Like when we acquired (Sean) Manaea, is that too many starters? But it certainly isnt. You can never have too much starting pitching, so well figure it out.

Read more:

Padres notes: Austin Nola on the move, pitching progress - The San Diego Union-Tribune