Ross' fate appears to be SD's last roster call

SAN DIEGO -- The Padres have one roster decision left to make.
Ahead of Thursday morning's deadline to finalize rosters, manager Andy Green tipped his hand regarding a few of his Opening Day selections. Outfielder Matt Szczur, right-hander Jordan Lyles and left-hander Kyle McGrath have all been told they will make the club. That leaves outfielder Travis Jankowski, right-hander Phil Maton and left-hander Buddy Baumann to be optioned to the Minors in a string of related moves.
The rest of the 25-man squad will not be finalized until late Wednesday, after the club's workout at Petco Park and after Tyson Ross and Bryan Mitchell pitch Minor League games in Arizona.
But only one decision still needs to be made, with 26 players in play for 25 places.

It seems possible the club will open the year with 14 position players and 11 pitchers, carrying only four starters. In that instance, Ross could begin the season in the Minors before a scheduled callup on April 6 in Houston -- the first day a fifth starter would be needed. (Such an arrangement seemingly leaves Robbie Erlin in line to start Friday, in place of the injured Dinelson Lamet, but Green wouldn't confirm as much.)
In that scenario, the Padres would carry both Carlos Asuaje and Cory Spangenberg at second base. It's possible one of them is sent to Triple-A if Ross is part of the Opening Day roster.
Meanwhile, it appears to be a near certainty that the club opts to carry two backup catchers in Raffy Lopez and A.J. Ellis. Here's a breakdown of how the full squad might shake out, if indeed Ross opens the year in the Minors.
Catcher (3):Austin Hedges, A.J. Ellis, Raffy Lopez
First base (1):Eric Hosmer
Second base (2): Carlos Asuaje, Cory Spangenberg
Third base (2):Chase Headley, Christian Villanueva
Shortstop (1):Freddy Galvis
Outfield (5):Wil Myers, Jose Pirela, Manuel Margot, Hunter Renfroe, Matt Szczur
Rotation (4):Clayton Richard, Robbie Erlin, Luis Perdomo, Bryan Mitchell
Bullpen (7):Brad Hand, Kirby Yates, Craig Stammen, Kazuhisa Makita, Kyle McGrath, Jordan Lyles, Adam Cimber