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SAN DIEGO – The Padres will not officially announce their opening list until Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. But they broke camp in Peoria, Ariz. On Monday after making a handful of decisions to reduce their squad to 26.
The team has yet to confirm the moves, but sources say these 26 are expected to dress for the Padres on opening day, barring any unforeseen circumstances:
Catch (2): Victor Caratini, Luis Campusano
An injury to Austin Nola erased any lingering questions about the Padres’ captivating image. Nola was to serve as the team’s starter. Instead, he’s set to open the season on the injured list as he returns from a broken left middle finger.
Caratini, who entered the trade with the Cubs who also won opening day pitcher Yu Darvish, will slip into that starting role. He was meant to serve as Darvish’s personal receiver anyway, but now seems destined for a bigger role. Rookie Campusano will serve as Caratini’s replacement after a strong spring in which he posted a slash of .279 / .373 / .395. It’s unclear how the Padres might split the playing time until Nola returns.
Inside field (4): Eric Hosmer, Jake Cronenworth, Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado
No surprises here. The Padres’ infield was arguably the best in baseball last season, and all four starters return in 2021. It’s worth wondering how often Hosmer and Cronenworth might sit up against left-handed throws this season, but they should both start Thursday against Arizona. Madison Bumgarner.
Outer field (3): Wil Myers, Tommy Pham, Jurickson Profar
Trent Grisham, who suffered left hamstring strain in mid-March, is eligible to drop off the injured list on April 8. The Padres remain optimistic it will be activated then – or very soon after.
In the meantime, there are questions regarding places for Grisham in central field. Myers – unlike in years past – was never an option there. During spring training, Pham and Profar were usable as field agents at the center. Presumably one of these two will start in the center, with the other on the left.
Utility (3): Ha-Seong Kim, Jorge Mateo, Tucupita Marcano
Here’s where things get interesting. Sources have confirmed Mateo and Marcano have made the squad, meaning outfielder Brian O’Grady will start the year at the Padres’ alternative training site in Peoria. Marcano’s story is remarkable – although it seems likely that he gives in once Grisham returns.
A long shot to be part of the opening day roster, Marcano, 21, just hasn’t stopped hitting. It started the camp as a simple funny story. Then he started to turn heads in earnest. The Padres made a point to give Marcano some at-bats against the toughest pitchers they’ve faced. He just kept on raking. Marcano, the team’s No.6, according to MLB Pipeline, ended the spring with a slash of .405 / .479 / .619.
The only left-handed hitter on the Padres bench, Marcano can play anywhere on the inside court and on the two outside points. Kim, meanwhile, is the main save in second, short and third. Mateo will serve as an elite pinch weapon – and could also have an opportunity to the plateau after an excellent spring: .316 / .414 / .456.
Morejon secured a rotational berth with his excellent performance this spring, in which he posted a 3.21 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 14 innings. He occupies the place left vacant by Dinelson Lamet, who will open the year on the injured list.
The Padres are building Lamet slowly after the elbow injury that sidelined him in the last playoffs. He made two starts at the end of the camp in which he did not exceed the threshold of 30 shots.
It is not known when Lamet will return. (Maybe late April or early May, depending on his current trajectory.) But when he does, it could force the Padres to reckon with struggling Paddack, who has posted a 10.64 ERA in five outings this past. spring. Either Paddack or Morejon would be a strange man. Based on the spring performance, it could be Paddack.
Bullpen (9): Emilio Pagán, Drew Pomeranz, Mark Melancon, Keone Kela, Tim Hill, Craig Stammen, Ryan Weathers, Nabil Crismatt, Taylor Williams
The Padres have yet to name a closer. But in Pagán, Pomeranz, Melancon and Kela they have four pitchers who they think would be capable of playing that role.
Crismatt and Williams won the last two places in the pen, according to sources. These places became available after a discouraging series of injuries. Austin Adams (right elbow), Pierce Johnson (groin strain), Dan Altavilla (calf strain), Matt Strahm (right knee surgery), Javy Guerra (right UCL sprain) and José Castillo (Tommy John surgery) will open all season the injured list. Of this group, Johnson’s return seems most imminent. He could be back as early as April 8.
As for Weathers – one of the more intriguing inclusions on the opening day roster – his role has yet to be announced. He could do a bit of everything. The 21-year-old southpaw is a crucial piece in a bullpen that lacks lefties and longmen. Weathers is able to throw in short and long relief, and the Padres haven’t ruled out a six-way rotation. It’s entirely possible that when San Diego plays 17 games over 17 days in mid-April, Weathers will have a start or two.
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