Maurer made his 2017 spring training debut Friday, giving up one unearned run on one hit over his lone inning of work.
With the extra week of spring training due to the WBC, the Padres opted to bring the back end of their bullpen along slowly. Maurer is a lock to make the 25-man roster after finishing the season as the club's closer last year. He is considered the favorite the start the year as San Diego's closer, but he will have to fend off Carter Capps (elbow) both during Cactus League action and during the regular season (if he wins the job). Capps is considered the more-dominant reliever, but he is also recovering from Tommy John surgery last March, so he may not be ready to take on the closer role right off the bat.