Grandal takes step toward regaining durability

SAN DIEGO -- He thought it was going to happen in Milwaukee and then, later on the Padres' recently completed road trip, in Washington.

At some point, Padres' catcher Yasmani Grandal was going to put his surgically repaired right knee to the ultimate test -- catching on consecutive days.

It finally happened Tuesday, as Grandal -- who caught all 12 innings of the Padres' 6-5 win over the Royals -- was back behind the plate.

Better still for the Padres, it was Grandal's fourth consecutive start in the field.

"I feel good … I'm very excited," Grandal said before the game. "… Me and [manager Bud Black] talked about it in Milwaukee when I caught 12 innings [April 22] and we talked about it in Washington. It's all good."

This might be the last time Grandal has to answer questions about his durability as the team was closely watching his usage in the first month or so of the regular season, being careful not to tax him and the knee he had surgery on last August.

Grandal caught nine innings Saturday against the D-backs and played eight innings at first base the next day. Then Monday, he caught 184 pitches from eight different pitchers against the Royals.

"There's no soreness, but it's more like fatigue," Grandal said.

As for starting in four consecutive days, Grandal didn't see what all the hype was about.

"I want to be in the game all the time," he said.

Grandal struck one of the biggest blows of the night when he hit a three-run home run that tied the game against Royals' pitcher Yordano Ventura in the sixth inning.