SAN DIEGO -- As the Padres prepared on Monday afternoon to face the Dodgers in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Tuesday night, manager Mike Shildt was already mulling his candidates to start Game 4 on Wednesday night.

"[It's] not necessarily contingent upon Game 3. We have an idea. We're going to finalize it today and announce something either today or tomorrow," Shildt said during a press conference ahead of the off-day workout at Petco Park.

Because Joe Musgrove is out of commission with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, San Diego must improvise its solution.

And that could mean Game 1 starter Dylan Cease could pitch on short rest Wednesday.

"All options are on the table at this point," Shildt said.

Cease, 28, has never pitched on short rest in the big leagues during his six-year career.

In Game 1, Cease did not fare well while getting a no-decision in the Padres' 7-5 loss to the Dodgers on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium.

While throwing 82 pitches over 3 1/3 innings, Cease gave up five runs on six hits and two walks to go with five strikeouts. He has not thrown a between-starts bullpen session, though he threw extensively off flat ground during Monday’s workout.

Another potential option for San Diego is left-hander Martín Pérez, who replaced Musgrove on the NLDS roster. Although Pérez struggled earlier this season while with the Pirates, he has been solid since joining the Padres in a Trade Deadline deal on July 30 -- posting a 3.46 ERA in 52 innings over 10 starts.

"I've got to be ready," Pérez said. "In these games, it's not what you want. It's what they need. Where does my team need me to help them win?"

The other option is a bullpen game with all hands on deck in what could be either a potential chance to clinch entry to the NL Championship Series or stave off elimination and force a Game 5 on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. It’s likely Pérez would be a part of that bullpen progression.

Padres 'optimistic' about Bogaerts

Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts appeared to be OK to play in Game 3 after he exited Game 2 before the bottom of the eighth inning with hamstring cramps.

Bogaerts needed attention from the trainer during his plate appearance in the top of the eighth inning. Then, Bogaerts hit a home run as part of a six-homer team effort in a 10-2 blowout win over Los Angeles.

"We're pretty optimistic," Shildt said. "There was still a little bit of dehydration, and he's going to be just fine. We don't feel there's anything that's going to compromise him. We'll find out more today after he gets treatment, but we're optimistic."

Musgrove mulls surgery date

Musgrove still hasn’t settled on the date for his pending Tommy John surgery. He’s spent the past few days speaking with doctors and medical staff -- largely with the intent on figuring out whether he has any chance to pitch in 2025.

“If getting the surgery within the next couple days gives me a chance to realistically be back pitching at the end of next year into the postseason, then yeah, I’ll get it done immediately,” Musgrove said.

But Musgrove also noted that he wouldn’t rush his recovery at all -- and that if he knows he will be out until the 2026 season, he would wait to have the operation so he can remain with the team during its postseason run.

Sim game for Reynolds

Right-hander Sean Reynolds joined the team at Petco Park and threw a simulated inning, facing lefty Tyler Wade and righty Brandon Lockridge.

Reynolds posted a 0.82 ERA in nine outings this season. He says he’s fully recovered from the sore left knee that was bothering him down the stretch with Triple-A El Paso.

“I’m ready to go,” Reynolds said.

If the Padres were to need an injury replacement in their bullpen, Reynolds is perhaps the likeliest option. He’s also an option to crack the roster for future rounds if San Diego advances.