Notes: Step forward for versatile Weathers

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Let's just say the pressure was different the last time Ryan Weathers took the mound against the Dodgers. It was Game 1 of the National League Division Series, and Weathers was uniquely tasked with making his Major League debut in the midst of the postseason.

The wide-eyed Weathers pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings, including a strikeout of Cody Bellinger. He later admitted to a serious bout of nerves, but it sure didn't look that way.

In any case, the pressure was back on Weathers on Saturday afternoon -- in a different capacity. This time, the 21-year-old left-hander needed a strong showing to stake his claim for his place on the Padres’ Opening Day roster.

It wasn't flawless, but Weathers made a solid case nonetheless in the Padres’ 4-4 tie with the Dodgers at Peoria Stadium. He allowed three runs across three innings, but he struck out six Dodgers to just one walk, showcasing an electric blend of three pitches.

"Very pleased with the outing," Weathers said afterward. "Obviously not the results I wanted. But all in all, I felt really good out there, and the stuff felt really good, so definitely a lot of positives."

Weathers noted that he wanted a couple pitches back against AJ Pollock -- who homered in the first and doubled in the third. Otherwise, Weathers was pleased.

"Today was a good test for me, getting to face one of the best lineups in baseball,” said Weathers, the Padres' No. 5 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. “Made some pitches. Didn't make some pitches. A lot to learn from."

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As things stand, Weathers sits squarely on the roster bubble. The Padres have probably settled on a starting five, with Adrian Morejon having recently made a strong claim for the final rotation spot.

That leaves Weathers vying for the role of swingman. He seems like a perfect fit. With Morejon in the rotation and Matt Strahm slated to open the season on the injured list following October right knee surgery, the Padres are short on both left-handers and multi-inning relievers.

Weathers fits the bill. Plus, if the Padres expand to a six-man rotation when they play 17 games in 17 days in April, Weathers is the perfect candidate to transition back into the rotation.

"Whatever this team needs me to do, I'll do that," Weathers said. "Whatever role needs to be filled, I'll try my best to do that and have fun with it."

Pomeranz optimism

Padres manager Jayce Tingler expressed optimism that left-hander Drew Pomeranz would return to the mound shortly. Pomeranz dealt with some left forearm tightness after a bullpen session last week, and he hasn't pitched in a game since March 9.

"He didn't feel too much when he was throwing," Tingler said. "It was a little bit the next day -- recovery and a little bit of tightness in there. He's been checked out. We feel confident as a group it is just a little bit of inflammation."

Pomeranz -- a crucially important piece as a dominant left-hander in a righty-heavy bullpen -- was evaluated further, and tests revealed no structural damage. The Padres' level of long-term concern seems low. But Tingler wouldn't fully commit to a Pomeranz return by Opening Day, citing a wait-and-see approach.

Worth noting

• First baseman Eric Hosmer was scratched from the lineup on Saturday because he was "feeling nauseous" with a stomach bug, Tingler said. Hosmer missed a week last season with a serious stomach ailment. But Hosmer informed team staff that he believed this bout to be unlike and unrelated to what he experienced last year.

• The Padres are still hopeful catcher Austin Nola will return from a broken left middle finger in time to be ready for Opening Day, but Tingler again expressed caution, saying, "We can't really punch the gas and make something happen."

• Left fielder Tommy Pham collided hard with the left-field wall at Peoria Stadium as he attempted to make a play on Chris Taylor's home run in the top of the fifth inning on Saturday. Tingler and a team trainer paid a visit to Pham, but he remained in the game.