Sipp open to staying in Padres' system

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Tony Sipp walked through the Padres' clubhouse on Tuesday, holding a cup of coffee and dressed in street clothes. He looked like he had nowhere to be.

In a sense, he doesn't.

On Monday, the Padres informed the left-handed pitcher he would not make the 25-man Opening Day roster, though it was no fault of his own.

"They said they didn't think I could have done any more than I did," Sipp said. "They said that with Josh [pitcher Josh Johnson] out, they were going to go the long [reliever] route."

Sipp, who can opt out of his Minor League deal with the team, is waiting to see if another Major League team offers him a deal. If not, he said he would accept an assignment to Triple-A El Paso.

"I think it's a good fit here," Sipp said.

Sipp had a 1.86 ERA this spring in nine appearances and 9 2/3 innings. He allowed 10 hits with one walk and nine strikeouts. Five of the 10 hits he allowed came against left-handed batters.

Sipp was one of two potential left-handed specialists in camp. The other was Patrick Schuster, who was claimed on waivers on Tuesday by the Royals. Like Sipp, Schuster was told Monday that he wasn't going to make the 25-man roster.

"I thought I had a really good spring … it was probably the best spring I've had so far in my career," Sipp said. "I feel like I made a statement here."

All signs currently point to right-hander Donn Roach making the team, though manager Bud Black hasn't made that official. Roach would give the Padres two options -- along with Tim Stauffer -- to work multiple innings if need be.

After three off-days in the first 12 days of the season, the Padres play 20 consecutive games from April 11-30 and carrying a second long man during that stretch might be deemed prudent.