"The signing of Micah Owings to a contract ultimately could affect both the Padres rotation and bullpen this spring.

"His versatility raises a lot of possibilities and gives us more and potentially attractive options," Padres manager Bud Black said Thursday.

Like Dustin Moseley last year, Owings comes to the Padres having worked both as a major league starter and out of the bullpen. In addition, Owings, who has a career .286 average with nine homers in 203 at-bats, is viewed by many as the top hitting pitcher in the game."