AJ Cassavell, MLB.com’s Padres beat reporter, held an “Ask Me Anything” on Reddit with Padres fans at r/padres. This mailbag features questions and answers from that. The full AMA can be read here.

How do you expect the Padres to handle the pitching rotation after sending [Matt] Waldron down? I know Waldron is on a break according to Shildt, but could we expect a substitute pitcher or a bullpen game? Thank you for all you do!

Edit: Looks like Yu Darvish is back, so that may have answered my question, but if you have anything to add, that would be super appreciated! -- richardsureman
I'm still extremely curious about how they handle the next few weeks. We'll learn more about Darvish's availability, but he’s not fully built up. With Waldron down, the Padres have a rotation vacancy they'd presumably fill by adding Randy Vásquez next week. Still, that's a lot of games in a row without a sixth option.

But yeah, Darvish's return seems to answer the question about the rotation the Padres are hoping for at season's end. If they finish the year with Dylan Cease-Joe Musgrove-Darvish and have Michael King as a swingman for a potential postseason series, that's a solid group.

Hi AJ! Both the Padres 40-man roster and coaching staff have changed quite a bit from last season. The 2024 Padres lead MLB in batting average (as of Friday afternoon), whereas last year, they were ranked 20th of 30 teams. How much credit do the Padres' players and front office attribute their recent success and substantial improvement in hitting from last season to the Padres' new hitting coach, Victor Rodriguez? -- cambap
Victor Rodriguez isn't the biggest driver of that shift. That would be a change in personnel. When you add guys like Luis Arraez, Jurickson Profar and Jackson Merrill, you're going to create more contact and hit for a higher average.

But what a job Rodriguez has done maximizing that aspect of the Padres' offense. It's been fun to watch. His job as hitting coach -- in a place where it feels impossible to succeed as a hitting coach -- has been one of the most underrated storylines of the season.

Who do you expect to be called up when rosters expand in September? -- mad_marston
Two spots open. I've been impressed with righty reliever Alek Jacob, and so have the Padres. The other has to be a hitter, and, well, Fernando Tatis Jr. is getting close ...

Not sure he's ready by Sept. 1. But I think the Padres are hoping to have him back soon, and that'll give them a very solid bench (David Peralta/Donovan Solano/Luis Campusano/Bryce Johnson/Tyler Wade).

What has been your favorite moment of the season so far? -- dietmrfizz
My son was born the night before Opening Day, and I took paternity leave during April, so I got to sit on my couch with him and just watch ball -- no stories to write, no e-mails to answer. Tough to top that.

As far as the rest of the season, I mean, I wasn't in Texas for Joe Musgrove's no-hitter. We weren't traveling during COVID. So covering my first Padres no-hitter (Cease in Washington) was pretty awesome.

Is this THE season? 🎖️🏆 -- OK_Resolution_7500
Long way to go, but I'll say this: In my nine years on the beat, this is the best I've felt about it potentially being THE season at this point in the calendar.

What’s your favorite spot to eat at Petco Park? --sandy-eggo-padres
The Seaside Market tri-tip nachos are my favorite, but that's, like, a twice-a-year thing. Meanwhile, Board & Brew is right next to the press box, affordable and reasonably healthy. If you're at a Padres home game an hour before first pitch, there's like a 50 percent shot you'll see me in line there. Say hi!