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03/31/09 10:15 PM ET

Padres will browse reliever castoffs

Towers may add to bullpen after teams make final cuts

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PEORIA, Ariz. -- The regular-season opener is less than a week away but Padres general manager Kevin Towers might not be done piecing together a pitching staff.

Towers said Tuesday that while "starting-wise, we're probably set" that there is a chance the Padres could acquire a relief pitcher Wednesday.

If the Padres do add a reliever, it would likely be for a player who is out of Minor League options and one who could possibly peg as a late-inning specialist.

The Padres plan on using Heath Bell as a closer, but no one in camp has emerged to be the eighth-inning go-to guy the team covets. The Padres would, ideally, like a power arm for the setup role.

Duaner Sanchez has a 3.38 ERA in eight games since being signed earlier in March after being released by the Mets. He has the most experience as a late-inning pitcher in camp, having served in that role previously with the Mets.

The Padres have had scouts in Florida and in Arizona this month watching pitchers who might peg as good fits for the bullpen.

One potential reliever the Padres might have interest in is 24-year-old right-hander Ed Mujica, who has a 8.10 ERA with Cleveland this spring, though he's performed better recently. Mujica, who is out of options, has a live fastball and a career 3.35 ERA in the Minor Leagues with just 60 walks in 231 1/3 innings. Mujica is 3-3 with a 6.04 ERA in 33 career games with the Indians.

It appears that Padres rookie Edwin Moreno has won a job, as has Eulogio De La Cruz, who hit 98 mph in a game Monday against the Indians. His command is a little spotty, but he has started in his past and could eventually move into that spot, Towers said.

De La Cruz is out of Minor League options, meaning he's on the team. Cla Meredith is another reliever who will make the team. Either Arturo Lopez or Justin Hampson, both left-handers, will likely make the team, leaving one possible spot in the bullpen.

Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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