SAN DIEGO -- The Padres and Major League Baseball observed Jackie Robinson Day on Friday, more than four months after the scheduled April 15 date, but with plenty of significance still.

MLB chose to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day on Aug. 28 for two reasons: It’s the anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, which the Robinson family attended, and it also is the date in '45 when Robinson and Branch Rickey met to discuss his future as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

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In conjunction with the celebration, MLB announced a partnership extension with the JRF Scholarship Program, the Jackie Robinson Museum and the annual JRF ROBIE Awards. The extension is through 2023 and includes a $3.5 million commitment on behalf of MLB.

As always on Jackie Robinson Day, every player donned No. 42. During a week in which both the Padres and Rockies (who San Diego opened a three-game series against on Friday) had games postponed as players protested racial injustice, the moment carried some extra poignancy to Padres manager Jayce Tingler.

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"It's always meaningful, and it's probably more so meaningful with everything that's going on this year," Tingler said. "For the opportunity to wear the No. 42 and understand how he paved the way for so many, it's an honor, and it's something that myself and the team are extremely proud to do today."

The Padres opened a nine-game road trip on Friday, so they honored Robinson in San Diego during Thursday's doubleheader against the Mariners, simultaneously acknowledging Johnny Ritchey as well. Ritchey broke the Pacific Coast League's color barrier with the Padres in 1948.

The Padres produced cardboard cutouts and positioned them behind home plate for the doubleheader. Ritchey and Robinson were among those cutouts, as were several other Negro Leagues icons, four Black members of the Padres Hall of Fame and several leaders of the local Black community.

Injury updates
Left-hander Drew Pomeranz is eligible to return from the 10-day injured list on Saturday, and it's possible that he'll be activated for the second game of the Padres' four-game series in Colorado.

"Everything up to today so far has been positive," Tingler said. "He's feeling good, and he felt good coming out of his bullpen."

Pomeranz, who landed on the IL last Friday with a shoulder strain, has been the Padres' best reliever this season. He's pitched scoreless baseball across 10 appearances, while allowing just one hit.

Meanwhile, catcher Francisco Mejía is also approaching a return from a left thumb bruise. But that doesn't seem likely until after the series in Colorado. Mejía is currently at the team's alternate training site at the University of San Diego, taking part in daily intrasquad scrimmages.

"He is progressing," Tingler said. "He's currently at USD, and he's getting a lot of at-bats. The hand continues to improve. All the reports from his game swings, he's taking baby steps forward from both sides of the plate."

Pitching plans
Left-hander Adrian Morejon is scheduled to start Saturday against the Rockies, though it's unclear how deep the rookie is expected to go. Morejon has made two starts this season, but he hasn't pitched beyond three innings.

That could mean a bullpen day for the Padres, putting a heavy burden on Sunday on right-hander Chris Paddack who is set to make his Coors Field debut. The Padres also haven't named a starter for Monday's series finale. And a bounce-back effort from Paddack could go a long way toward easing the burden on the pitching staff -- particularly if he's starting in between two Coors Field bullpen days.