3 start-of-camp expectations for the Padres

SAN DIEGO -- The 2023 Padres season sure is off to a better start than the last one.

A year ago, of course, the first day of camp brought news that Fernando Tatis Jr. had fractured his left wrist, sending shockwaves throughout the organization and the baseball world.

Monday morning was a bit more ... mundane. And for the Padres, that was a very good thing.

The handful of pitchers and catchers who will participate in the World Baseball Classic officially reported on Monday. Some other regulars have already reported as well and have gone through informal workouts at the Peoria Sports Complex.

In the meantime, manager Bob Melvin addressed the media, his first availability as he gets set for his second season at the helm. Here are a few takeaways from Melvin’s start-of-camp media session.

1. Expectations are ... different
The Padres just reached the NLCS for the first time in 24 years. They now add two superstars to the fray in Tatis and Xander Bogaerts, who signed an 11-year contract in December.

"We have a lot of star players here," Melvin said. "We seem to bring another one in every few weeks or so. It's been neat to see because the fanbase has really embraced it. When you have this many household names, it just adds to the excitement coming into Spring Training."

With that excitement comes expectations, however -- perhaps the highest season-opening expectations in franchise history.

"You have to embrace it," Melvin said. "It's going to be there regardless. You have to understand that's the position we've put ourselves in. That's a good thing, right?

"But it gets back to the day-to-day. You have long-term goals, you have short-term goals. Then you insulate in the day-to-day portion of it. Just try to go out there and win a ballgame -- or win a day, win a workout, try to get better as you go along. I think everybody here understands what the expectations are."

2. A rotation race -- in theory, at least
The most interesting roster battle this spring might be the race for the No. 6 spot in the rotation. Largely because, for someone to win it, they'd have to earn it.

San Diego’s rotation is already five-deep -- headlined by Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove and Blake Snell, with Nick Martinez and Seth Lugo making the transition back from the bullpen to the rotation.

But wait! There may (or may not) be a sixth spot available! Team officials have expressed their preference for a six-man rotation to open the season, citing the effectiveness of that strategy a season ago. But the Padres need six capable starters to make a six-man rotation work.

"We've mapped out the five that we know are going to be in the rotation," Melvin said. "Then there are going to be some spots where other guys are going to get an audition. ... As of right now, there's no decision on whether we're going five- or six-man rotation."

San Diego could still acquire another starter this spring. But for now, the group competing for that theoretical No. 6 spot includes: Brent Honeywell Jr., Adrian Morejon, Reiss Knehr, Jay Groome, Ryan Weathers and Wilmer Font, among others.

3. Pomeranz update
The Padres already like the makeup of their bullpen. But one X-factor that could elevate the unit from good to great: A healthy Drew Pomeranz.

The veteran left-hander missed the entire 2022 season while recovering from left elbow surgery. The team was initially optimistic for his second-half return. But flexor-tendon surgery comes with a tricky recovery, and Pomeranz never fully regained his form. He was shut down late in the year, with an eye on 2023.

The Padres will take it slowly with Pomeranz this spring, but they're anticipating a somewhat normal build-up toward the season for him.

"I wouldn't say he's on a program where he's completely a 'go' like everybody else," Melvin said. "That could happen at some point in time early in camp. There's still probably some restrictions on him. But once we get to games, hopefully he's in a place where he's just trying to get ready for a season."

Pomeranz has made only 47 appearances since signing his four-year deal with the Padres prior to the 2020 season. But in those 47 appearances, he has a 1.62 ERA with a 33.7% strikeout rate. Imagine a weapon like that joining a back-end that already features Josh Hader and Robert Suarez.