PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Padres haven't officially settled on a starting catcher for Opening Day, though the odds-on favorite is likely Josh Bard, considering how well he played in the second half and how he handled the pitching staff.

But that doesn't mean Michael Barrett will be relegated to typically backup duty, which for most teams consists of catching one or two days a week.

The Padres think they have two No. 1 catchers. Now the trick is trying to figure out how to best utilize them.

"Michael was a very productive player for a number of years," San Diego manager Bud Black said. "Last year when he came over he didn't play like he was capable and Josh played well for the second half of the season.

"So we realize that Mike has talent and we're not going to disregard that. ... He's been an everyday catcher. We have two guys who could arguably catch every day."

Bard started each of the Padres' pressure-filled 11 games to end the regular season as well as the play-in game to determine the National League's Wild Card entry. And Bard was more than durable, as he hit .372 during that important stretch.

Even with Barrett healthy after recovering from a concussion, Black found it increasingly easy to pencil Bard's name on the lineup card late in the season with little trepidation.

"Josh wants to solidify himself as an everyday catcher. ... Last year, Josh didn't disappoint at all," Black said. "He handled the pitching staff, calls a good game, works well with the pitchers and offensively had a good year."

Both players have looked good so far early in camp and Barrett seems to have found his swing again after a rough transition after being traded last season to the Padres, when he hit just .226.

Barrett, for one, doesn't see any reason why a job-share situation of some sorts wouldn't work in San Diego. After all, the catching position is such a volatile position and both players spent time on the disabled list last season.

"We're in this thing together, so let's look at it as if we're one unit," Barrett said. "I'm not as good as Pudge Rodriguez. But as a unit, Josh Bard and I can be better than Pudge and his backup. That's the way that I look at it. Do we help our team win? How are we doing collectively there?"

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On the mend: Two pitchers who were scheduled to throw in Thursday's charity game against the Mariners -- relievers Justin Hampson and Kevin Cameron -- have been scratched with minor injuries.

Cameron is nursing a slight hamstring injury that will keep him from game action for a few days. Black said the Padres will "back off" Hampson for a few days because of his tight left shoulder and "give him a few days off."

"The workload we put the guys on the first 10 days is pretty heavy," Black said.

Another relief pitcher, Carlos Guevara, is coming along slowly from a hamstring strain that he experienced nine days ago. There's no timetable as to when he'll return to active duty.

Cameron and Hampson, who were each scheduled to throw one inning Thursday, will be replaced by Joe Thatcher and Jared Wells.

Intrasquad fun: Catcher Colt Morton provided one of the few highlights to the intrasquad game Wednesday, knocking a three-run home run off Minor League pitcher Ernesto Frieri.

Will Venable added a three-run home run off Wilton Lopez in the final inning of a six-inning game.

Craig Stansberry was the only player to have two or more hits. Callix Crabbe had a hit and a walk and looked smooth playing shortstop. Jody Gerut and Kyle Blanks each hit doubles.

On the pitching side, Cesar Ramos tossed two scoreless innings, striking out two.

Friars notes: ESPN will televise nine games during Spring Training, though only one game will include Cactus League teams: a March 21 game between the Rockies and Cubs. ... Shawn Estes is schedule to start Friday's Cactus League opener against Kansas City at the Peoria Sports Complex. ... The Padres and Mariners held their annual spring golf tournament on Tuesday, with the Mariners coming out ahead in the best-ball format. The best Padres foursome, to no one's surprise, was that of Greg Maddux, Minor League coach Doug Dascenzo and Jake Peavy, who shot a 60. Maddux and Peavy are considered the top golfers on the team. ... Baseball America has released its annual top prospect list of Minor League players and there are two Padres on the list: Chase Headley (No. 32) and Matt Antonelli (No. 50).