Bullpen arms fresh for long stretch before off-day

SAN DIEGO -- Manager Bud Black was joking Tuesday that he needs to "reintroduce myself" to rookie reliever Donn Roach, who has made just two appearances this season and none since April 4.

"I see this guy named Roach walking around the clubhouse but I never see him play," Black joked. "I've got to get him in there."

The Padres, who are currently carrying two long relievers -- Roach and Tim Stauffer -- haven't needed Roach lately, as the starting pitchers have generally done a better job of working deeper into the games in the second week of the season.

Roach might be seen before too long, as the Padres are in a stretch of 20 consecutive days without a day off. The team won't have a scheduled off-day until May 1.

"That's a function of the types of games we're playing. His innings in the first part of the season have not really been required. But he'll get in there. You can't just pitch with just 10, 11 guys."

The Padres have six more games at home, counting Tuesday, before embarking on a 10-game road trip to Milwaukee, Washington and San Francisco.

"This stretch we're in now, we're going to use all 12 guys," Black said.