PEORIA, Ariz. -- It’s been a year since
Sheets launched a no-doubt three-run homer onto the right-field berm in the Padres’ 14-3 win over the Reds at the Peoria Sports Complex on Sunday. He’s spent most of his spring focused on controlling the strike zone -- to the tune of a team-high seven walks. Sunday marked his first spring home run.\n\n“The big thing for me has been controlling the strike zone, getting walks and being disciplined,” Sheets said. “You get swings like this and you build off the two of those things, you can really put the two of those things together.”\n\nSheets established himself as a reliable presence in the lineup last season against both right- and left-handed pitching. But the Padres have added both Miguel Andujar and Nick Castellanos to their offensive mix this year. Like Sheets, they’ve both pieced together solid springs. And they’re known for mashing against lefties.\n\nEssentially, based on the current roster construction, there will be a maximum of two places available on a daily basis to be shared among that trio -- at first base and DH. (Castellanos has continued to get action at first and made a leaping catch there on Sunday.) The lefty-hitting Sheets is expected to start regularly against right-handers. But he could come off the bench against lefties -- and is just fine with that.\n\n“We’re extremely deep,” Sheets said. “We’ve got pieces that can hurt you at any time in the game. We’ve got a dangerous lineup, and then we’ve got guys that, on any given night, can come off the bench and hurt you. That’s the recipe for a really good ballclub.”\n\nHis manager agrees.\n\n“The way those guys are swinging the bats, the way they stand in the box, create havoc with the pitcher -- it lengthens our lineup, even when they’re not in our lineup,” said manager Craig Stammen.
**Gillaspie in the mix**\n\nRight-hander
**Injury updates**\n\n• Right-hander