Mike Piazza and Kerry Wood are trying new roles this spring, hoping to have healthy, productive seasons. One is off to a fast start in his new spot while the other may take a little longer to come around.

Piazza, who will be the designated hitter for the Oakland Athletics, homered for the second straight game, connecting for a three-run shot in the first inning against his former team in Oakland’s 8-7 victory over the San Diego Padres. He also hit a sharp single to left in the fifth.

“Mike has been on everything at the plate,” manager Bob Geren said in Phoenix. “He’s been feeling so good after three at-bats.”

Wood, moving to the Cubs’ bullpen, pitched in a spring training game for the first time in 12 days, throwing a scoreless inning as Chicago beat the San Francisco Giants 6-2.

Wood’s layoff came after he strained his right triceps in his previous outing March 11. Whether he will start the season with the team or on the disabled list is still not decided.

“I feel like my arm is in great shape. The shoulder is fine,” Wood said in Mesa, Ariz. “Everything feels great and that’s all I’m worried about.”

Geren and A’s general manager Billy Beane don’t plan to use Piazza even as an emergency catcher if they can help it.

“It’s definitely a challenge,” Piazza said of having more time on his hands and being judged only by his offense. “I’m starting to enjoy it. It’s a change, but I’m just kind of adapting.”

The news wasn’t as good for Los Angeles Angels third baseman Chone Figgins, who is expected to be sidelined five to six weeks with two broken fingers on his throwing hand.

At Tampa, Fla., the Yankees’ Chien-Ming Wang felt discomfort in his right hamstring during light running Friday.

Wang, who tied for first in the AL with 19 wins last season, underwent treatment afterward, and Yankees manager Joe Torre was hopeful the injury wasn’t serious.

“I’ve had no emergency calls,” Torre said after the Yankees’ 3-2 to Pittsburgh in Bradenton, Fla.

Andy Pettitte, another candidate to start on opening day for the Yankees, played catch for the first time since experiencing back spasms earlier in the week.

In other spring games:

Red Sox 3, Orioles 2

At Fort Myers, Fla., Erik Bedard held Boston hitless for 42â3 innings and allowed one run and one hit. He struck out eight in five innings.

Mets 2, Cardinals 1

At Port St. Lucie, Fla., Orlando Hernandez lowered his spring ERA from 10.50 to 5.25, allowing one unearned run in six innings against the Cardinals.

Blue Jays 6, Twins 5

At Fort Myers, Fla., reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana gave up two runs and four hits in five innings for the Twins.

Nationals 10, Tigers 4

At Viera, Fla., Washington’s John Patterson allowed a run in four innings in his longest outing since injuring his forearm last July.

Braves 7, Phillies 4

At Clearwater, Fla., Kyle Davies made his best case Friday to remain in the Atlanta Braves’ rotation, allowing three hits and a run in six innings.

Mariners 10, Angels 6

At Peoria, Ariz., Felix Hernandez allowed four runs in six innings against the Angels and after the game, Mariners manager Mike Hargrove announced Hernandez will start on opening day.

Rockies 5, White Sox 3

At Tucson, Ariz., the Rockies said Troy Tulowitzki won the starting shortstop job over Clint Barmes and Josh Fogg would be the team’s fifth starter.

Astros 6, Indians 2

At Winter Haven, Fla., Roy Oswalt prepared for his fifth consecutive opening day start with six scoreless innings.

Devil Rays 15, Reds 1

At St. Petersburg, Fla., outfielder Jonny Gomes had three hits and four RBIs in Tampa Bay’s rout of Cincinnati.