Notes: Weathers on team; injury updates

A surprise callup to the Padres' postseason roster last October, Ryan Weathers already has his first playoff appearance and his first playoff strikeout under his belt.

Now he has made his first Opening Day roster, too.

Weathers' relentless upward trajectory continued on Monday as Padres manager Jayce Tingler announced that the 21-year-old left-hander has made the team.

"He's come in in great shape," Tingler said. "He's located his fastball, he's thrown strikes, he's controlled the running game. He's done a lot of things that we've asked him to do."

Tingler wouldn't say what role Weathers would fill with the Padres. But he's likely to fill several, as a versatile left-hander who can start or throw multiple innings out of the bullpen.

"Absolutely anything they want me to do, wherever I'm at, I'll just go out there and compete," Weathers said Friday after his final start of the spring.

The Padres were blown away by Weathers' transformation last summer after he arrived at the team's alternate training site with a fastball sitting in the high 90s. The jump in velocity made the rest of Weathers' skill set play up. He already boasted two solid offspeed weapons -- a slider and a changeup -- and advanced command for a player his age.

Weathers, the team's No. 5 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, wowed at the alternate training site last year, and he earned a spot on the team's National League Division Series roster while Mike Clevinger and Dinelson Lamet dealt with injuries. Weathers made an appearance in Game 1, holding the Dodgers scoreless over 1 1/3 innings and striking out Cody Bellinger.

Weathers posted a 7.11 ERA this spring, but those numbers don't tell the whole story. He fell victim to some shoddy defense and some rough luck on batted balls. Nonetheless, the Padres were pleased with Weathers' penchant for attacking the strike zone. He fanned 15 hitters across 12 2/3 innings, including Bellinger again, twice.

A crowded injured list
Clearly the Padres are ecstatic about Weathers' ceiling. But it's fair to ask whether he would have cracked the Opening Day roster if not for a slew of injuries in the San Diego bullpen.

On Monday, Tingler announced that Austin Adams (right elbow), Pierce Johnson (groin strain) and Dan Altavilla (calf strain) would open the season on the injured list. They will join Matt Strahm (right knee surgery), Javy Guerra (right UCL sprain) and José Castillo (Tommy John surgery).

On offense, the list of injuries is shorter but no less impactful. Tingler confirmed what he's been hinting at for the past few days: Austin Nola (fractured left middle finger) and Trent Grisham (hamstring strain) will open the season on the IL.

Grisham is slightly ahead of Nola in his progression, but the club is optimistic that both will return in April.