Padres Fire Day, Hire Duensing

The Padres, beset with injuries the past two years, fired trainer Bob Day on Monday and replaced him with Larry Duensing.

Duensing, 41, has been in the Padre organization since 1977, including five years as an assistant at the major league level under Dick Dent from 1986 to 1990. Duensing spent the past two years at triple-A Las Vegas under Manager Jim Riggleman.

“He did a great job, and is just a tireless worker,” said Riggleman, who recommended the move. “He never showed any animosity or bitterness at all by going back to Las Vegas. It was as if he had never been in the majors, and wanted to work his way back up there.”

When Duensing was at the major league level with Dent, the Padres used the disabled list only 31 times during a six-year period--the second-lowest total in the major leagues. The Padres used the disabled list 19 times the last two years.

“I’m sure my sentiments for Bob Day would have grown as time had gone on,” Riggleman said, “but I just feel very comfortable with Larry.”

Todd Hutcheson, who has been in the Padre organization since 1982--the last two at the major league level--will remain the Padres’ assistant trainer.