Padres hope Cabrera shakes off spring struggles

SAN DIEGO -- Shortstop Everth Cabrera, who was suspended for the final 50 games of last season, got off to a slow start in Spring Training -- offensively and defensively.

Cabrera led the team with four errors and had contact issues at the top of the order, finishing the spring with 16 strikeouts in 61 at-bats.

"I attribute some of that to spring and maybe he was trying to hurry some things [defensively]," said San Diego manager Bud Black. "But overall, I think he had to get back on the field and play."

Cabrera was the team's lone All-Star representative last season, hitting .291 in the first half. But he did not play after Aug. 4 after he was suspended for the final 50 games of the regular season in relation to the Biogenesis investigation.

Black said it's imperative Cabrera play like he did in the first half of last season if the Padres are to be successful.

"He's got to get on base, the job of the leadoff hitter is to get on base and create havoc and put pressure on the other team," Black said.