Padres mull options to play RF until Tatis returns

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- From April 20 onward, the Padres have an emphatic answer to their right-field question. Fernando Tatis Jr., who made his second start in right on Saturday, is in the process of making a full-time outfield transition. He made an excellent sliding catch in the first inning of the Padres’ 5-4 win over the D-backs at Salt River Fields.

If all goes according to plan, the next time these two teams meet in Arizona, Tatis will be the starting right fielder at Chase Field, his first game back from an 80-game PED suspension.

But the 20 games before Tatis is eligible to return? Those count, too. In what figures to be a tight National League West race, the Padres’ ability to withstand Tatis’ early absence could prove pivotal.

"A game in April is just as important as down the stretch," said Padres manager Bob Melvin. "We'll do the best we can to try to maybe match up and get as much production as we can before Fernando comes back."

The Padres have no shortage of options for their temporary right-field vacancy. They'll spend the next 3 1/2 weeks assessing those options before settling on a plan. But a few recent developments have changed the calculus:

1. Adam Engel is on the mend after he was limited by a right calf strain early in camp. The veteran outfielder could appear in his first Cactus League game at some point over the next week, which puts him on track for the Opening Day roster.

2. Melvin recently noted that it's unlikely Matt Carpenter would get reps in the outfield this spring. Carpenter was viewed as a potential replacement for Tatis, before sliding into a first base/DH platoon with Nelson Cruz. It appears the Padres might simply open the season with that strategy.

3. David Dahl, a non-roster invite, has been the hottest hitter in Padres camp this side of Juan Soto. He entered play Saturday with a 1.066 OPS. Melvin has cautioned against reading too deeply into spring numbers, but he's also raved about Dahl's early performance.

So where do things stand in the right-field race?

Start with Engel. There was initially some doubt as to whether he'd be ready by Opening Day, which would've left three roster spots available. If Engel is healthy?

"That puts him right in the middle of this thing," Melvin said. "The expectation when we signed him was that he would be on the team."

When the Padres inked Engel to a big league deal in January, they viewed him mostly as a backup outfielder. He could see a few starts in Tatis' absence. But he’s not the only one vying for that job. The other options include:

• Dahl, whose lefty bat could work nicely as a platoon counterbalance for Engel

• José Azocar, an elite defender and speedster, who established himself as a versatile bench weapon last season

• Brandon Dixon, a bat-first bench piece, whose ability to play the infield might give him an edge

• Matthew Batten, if the Padres are looking for a do-everything utility player (though Batten is on the mend from a left calf strain he sustained during the first week of camp)

• Taylor Kohlwey, a longshot, but a surprise inclusion when Melvin listed off candidates a few days ago

If Dahl can maintain his impressive performance, he might be the early favorite (though the Padres would need to add him to their 40-man roster). Dahl boasts an extensive track record. He was an All-Star with Colorado in 2019 before a shoulder injury derailed his swing. He says he's feeling 100 percent again.

"It's a good opportunity here," Dahl said. "I want to be on a winning team, and this team has a chance to win a World Series. I just feel like if I could come here, show what I can do, I could be a really good fourth outfielder here, help the team win ballgames."

The reality, as Melvin noted, is that the Padres aren't going to use one outfielder to replace Tatis. For those first 20 games, they'll play matchups, and they'll adjust in-game, based on the situation. As such, there’s a very good chance they’ll carry five outfielders on the Opening Day roster.

"We don't have a ton of spots where we could match up," Melvin said. "But that's one."