PEORIA, Ariz. — On Dec. 12, Padres general manager A.J. Preller picked up his phone and dialed a new acquisition.



As welcome calls go, this one followed an unusual script. Chase Headley, half of the return from the Yankees for Jabari Blash and significant salary relief, answered. The third baseman was headed back west, to a franchise he once helped anchor. At the time, no one knew if he would make it all the way back.



On Saturday, Headley completed the return trip, reporting to spring training for his new, old team. Still, no one knows how long his second tenure will last.



“‘We don’t know if we’re going to trade you again or if we’re going to keep you,’” Headley said, paraphrasing his initial conversation with Preller. “I appreciated the honesty. As a player, you kind of understand how the game works, but it’s nice to have someone tell you straight up what’s going on.”



Headley...