Padres Scrub Scottsdale Trip

The Padres canceled their scheduled 10-game spring-training trip to Scottsdale, Ariz., sources said Monday, saying that even if there is a sudden breakthrough in baseball’s labor negotiations, they likely will not play an exhibition game before March 20.

The Padres learned Monday that the Milwaukee Brewers have already canceled plans to travel to Yuma for a scheduled March 19 game against the Padres. That leaves just six spring-training games in Yuma, and the seven cancellations are expected to cost the city at least $5 million.

The Padres, who were scheduled to begin a 10-day stretch on the road today, must be in spring-training camp for 10 days before scheduling an exhibition game, according to a league directive, while union chief Don Fehr has said that players will be given at least five days to report once a settlement is reached.

There have been no cancellations of regular-season games, but if camps do not open by March 12, baseball officials said the delay of opening day is inevitable.

And yes, just when the Padres thought the situation could not deteriorate further, their scheduled opening of minor-league camp Monday also was cancelled.

No, it had nothing to do with labor negotiations. This was the fault of Mother Nature. High winds.