Padres’ Equipment On Way; Players Not Close Behind

The Padres’ equipment trucks are to head for Yuma today, but unless there’s a dramatic change in the negotiating climate, minor league players will be the only ones using the equipment this month.

The Padre pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to the major league camp in Yuma on Feb. 17, followed by position players on Feb. 20. But with negotiations between the Major League Players Assn. and the Player Relations Committee at a stalemate, the owners are expected to keep camps closed until an agreement is reached.

Padre minor league players open their mini-camp on Monday.

In the meantime, many of the Padres continue to work out on their own, including reliever Mark Grant, who avoided arbitration Wednesday by signing a one-year contract for $400,000.

Grant, who was scheduled Friday for an arbitration hearing, received a $245,000 raise from his $155,000 salary in 1989. He had filed an arbitration request of $475,000, while the Padres countered with $310,000.

“He did a very good job for us and matured as a pitcher,” said Jack McKeon, Padre manager and vice president/baseball operations. “Success breeds confidence, and the fact that he had success last year should give him confidence that he can do the job for us again this year.”

Grant, 26, had the finest season of his three-year career in 1989, going 8-2 with a 3.33 ERA. He’s expected to again pitch in middle relief this season, McKeon said, but could emerge as a setup man if his improvement continues.