Dave Roberts, the San Diego Padres’ new center fielder and leadoff hitter, probably will start the season on the 15-day disabled list because of a lingering groin injury.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Roberts would be re-evaluated today, when the Padres have a full-squad workout at Petco Park. But both sounded as if the move was all but official.

Roberts hurt his groin March 12 against Arizona and sat out almost a week. He’s been in and out of the lineup since.

“It’s not responded the way I’d hoped, and I hoped to obviously be back by opening day,” Roberts said in San Diego. “I’m not 100 percent. We’re going to really try to err on the side of caution. It looks like right now I’ll probably be out for the first few series of the season. It’s not serious enough that I’m forced to be shut down entirely, but it’s enough that I’ve got to be cautious with it.”

At Clearwater, Fla., Jim Thome proved his back was just fine, going 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Philadelphia’s 9-9 tie with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The slugger missed seven games because of a stiff lower back before returning to the lineup Wednesday. His two-run shot off Justin Speier gave the Phillies a 7-6 lead in the seventh.

“I felt great all day,” Thome said. “It’s the best I’ve felt. My first two at-bats, I felt so good I had to slow myself down.”

In other spring training games:

Indians 7, Tigers 6

At Winter Haven, Fla., Jose Hernandez, signed in the offseason to provide pop against left-handed pitchers, hit three home runs off lefties to lead Cleveland. Hernandez hit a solo shot and a two-run homer off starter Mike Maroth, then led off the sixth by connecting against reliever Doug Creek.

Astros 7, Braves 4

At Kissimmee, Fla., Braves opening-day starter John Smoltz allowed five runs — three earned — in five innings, his first runs since returning to the starting rotation. Smoltz had gone 14 scoreless innings this spring before the Astros scored a run in the first. Also, Atlanta traded backup second baseman Nick Green to Tampa Bay for reliever Jorge Sosa.

Twins 4, Red Sox (ss) 2

At Fort Myers, Fla., Johan Santana worked six strong innings against a lineup of Red Sox regulars and declared himself ready for his opening day start. Johnny Damon had three hits and Kevin Millar homered off Santana.

Marlins 3, Nationals 1

At Jupiter, Fla., Josh Beckett limited the Nationals to a run over seven innings to cap an outstanding spring training, lowering his ERA to 0.98. Washington third baseman Vinny Castilla returned to the lineup after missing 10 games with a left knee injury. He went 0-for-3 and is hitting .087 this spring.

Brewers 4, Angels 2

At Phoenix, Chris Capuano pitched seven shutout innings. He allowed three runs in 25 innings for a 1.08 ERA this spring. Chad Moeller hit a three-run homer off Jake Woods with one out in the ninth. Angels starter Bartolo Colon gave up one run on three hits in five innings with three walks and two strikeouts.

Pirates 6, Reds 4

At Sarasota, Fla., right-hander Josh Hancock strained his groin and had to leave the game, forcing the Reds to reconsider their bullpen plans. Hancock was in line to make the 12-man staff before injuries ruined his spring.

Diamondbacks (ss) 8, Cubs 6

At Mesa, Ariz., Matt Kata hit a three-run homer for Arizona. Michael Gosling gave up a run and five hits in four innings, and helped push his case for the Diamondbacks’ No. 5 starter role.

Mariners 4, Padres 1

At Peoria, Ariz., San Diego’s Darrell May pitched five-hit ball over six scoreless innings, facing three batters over the minimum and striking out five.

White Sox 9, Rockies 8

At Tucson, Ariz., Freddy Garcia struggled through his final start of spring training, allowing six runs and nine hits in 42/3 innings, striking out five. Rockies starter Shawn Chacon gave up four runs and six hits in six innings.

Dodgers 3, Mets 0

Port St. Lucie, Fla., Derek Lowe pitched three perfect innings and Eric Gagne pitched a hitless eighth for Los Angeles. Kazuhisa Ishii made his Mets debut against his former team and looked sharp, allowing one run and three hits in 52/3 innings.

Yankees 2, Devil Rays 1

At Tampa, Fla., Mike Mussina allowed one run and four hits in seven innings for New York, his final tuneup before his first regular-season start against Boston next Wednesday. Jason Giambi (left hamstring) and Tony Womack (left knee bruise) were back in the Yankees’ lineup after sitting out the past two games.