SEATTLE — Catcher Yasmani Grandal was reinstated by the San Diego Padres from the restricted list on Tuesday after missing the first 50 games of the season while serving a suspension for a positive testosterone test.
Grandal arrived in Seattle late Monday night and was immediately inserted into the starting lineup for the Padres as they closed out a two-game series against the Mariners.
“I think it’s not nerves, it’s more being excited,” Grandal said. “I think I’m going to be even more when we get back to San Diego because you get to play in front of your home crowd. Not nervous, definitely not nervous. Just excited.”
The Padres optioned catcher John Baker to Triple-A Tucson and designated for assignment infielder Edinson Rincon to clear a roster spot for Grandal.
Sitting in the Padres dugout three hours before making his season debut, Grandal said he doesn’t feel any extra pressure to show that his performance at the plate last season wasn’t the result of what led to his positive test. Grandal said the only people he needs to prove himself to are in the Padres organization.
“If I have to prove anything it’s to the Padres. My job comes first. The Padres are the ones that have me in the major leagues and the ones that made the decisions to bring me up or down,” Grandal said. “So do I have something to prove? Yeah, to the Padres.”
Grandal was part of San Diego’s second-half resurgence in 2012, hitting .297 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs in 60 games. Grandal was allowed to play 10 games at Triple-A, where he hit .306 with three doubles and two RBIs in nine games.
Grandal apologized to his teammates at the start of spring training and read a statement in which he apologized to fans and the organization. He said the time between the suspension being handed down in November and the start of spring training felt like forever, but since spring training started things have moved quickly.
“Next thing I knew I had to go to Iowa,” Grandal said. “I had a good time down at spring training. I had to do what I had to do and we’re here now.”
Grandal was acquired along with first baseman Yonder Alonso and pitchers Edinson Volquez and Brad Boxberger from Cincinnati for ace Mat Latos in December 2011. He said he’s not concerned about the stigma that might come with the suspension and January’s report by Miami New Times that he appeared in the records of Biogenesis of America LLC, a closed anti-aging clinic in Coral Gables, Fla., accused in media reports of distributing banned performance-enhancing drugs to players. Baseball sued the clinic and its backers and has purchased documents that included players’ names.
“There’s no difficulty. You’re in the major leagues, you’re getting another opportunity to prove yourself, to let the team that you’re with know that you belong here,” Grandal said. “There’s no baggage that you carry around. At the end of the day, you’re still playing here.”
