The Padres expect closer Trevor Hoffman won't be ready for Opening Day, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Thursday.

	Trevor Hoffman Relief pitcher San Diego Padres Profile
	2002 SEASON STATISTICS GM IP W-L SV SO ERA 61 59.1 2-5 38 69 2.73

General manager Kevin Towers told the newspaper he wouldn't "bet against Hoffy," but "there's a strong possibility he won't be ready for Opening Day."

Hoffman, who had offseason arthroscopic shoulder surgery Oct. 16, might not return to the San Diego bullpen until May, according to the report.

The 35-year-old is rehabilitating in Arizona and Towers will look to a group of seven relievers to fill in for Hoffman until he's ready to return.

"You don't replace a guy like Trevor," Padres pitching coach Greg Booker told the paper. "You're spoiled with a guy like Trevor. You don't just say, 'If Trevor doesn't make it, we'll just put another guy in there.' "

Hoffman, who missed the final four games of last season with shoulder inflammation, ranks fifth on the career saves list with 352. He has never been on the disabled list, and he last had surgery after the 1995 season, also to smooth and clean his right rotator cuff.

He was 2-5 with 38 saves and a 2.73 ERA last season.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.