Spring Training questions left for Padres

PEORIA, Ariz. -- After an off-day Friday for the Padres, it's a sprint to the Cactus League finish line. With 10 games left, these five important questions still need to be answered:

1. Which young arms make a roster push?
What a delightful -- and novel -- conundrum for Padres decision makers, who must choose from among three electric young left-handers for a spot or two on the roster. Indeed, Adrian Morejon, Ryan Weathers and MacKenzie Gore are all vying for a place.

"It's just so unique to have three lefties, 21-22 years old, with the stuff they have, mid to upper 90s and secondary pitches," said Padres manager Jayce Tingler. “You just don't see a lot of that."

Another strong showing on Thursday seemed to further solidify Morejon’s place as the team's No. 5 starter. But with an overabundance of one-inning arms, the Padres could certainly use a long man for their bullpen, as well.

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Gore, MLB Pipeline's top pitching prospect, has struggled this spring with his control. Barring a late turnaround, he seems destined to start the season in the Minors.

Weathers, meanwhile, sits squarely on the roster bubble. He could provide the Padres precisely the length they're looking for in their bullpen, and perhaps even a spot start if they transition to a six-man staff during a stretch of 17 games in 17 days in April.

Weathers has the perfect chance to make his case on Saturday -- with a start against the Dodgers.

2. Who starts Opening Day?
The fiercest Opening Day starter debate in franchise history should have an answer soon enough. It looks an awful lot like Yu Darvish is lined up to get the nod -- and he'd be a deserving winner based solely on his spring performance. Darvish has pitched five innings across two starts, striking out seven and allowing just one hit.

If you've been following closely, you probably noticed the order of Padres pitchers in the past two trips through the rotation: Darvish-Blake Snell-Joe Musgrove-Chris Paddack-Morejon. It shouldn't shock anyone if that's the rotation they open the season with.

Both Snell and Dinelson Lamet were candidates to compete with Darvish for the Opening Day nod entering camp. Snell has been excellent, too, and should slot in as one of the sport's best No. 2 starters. As for Lamet, see below.

3. What is Lamet’s path?
The Padres have divulged very little about their plan for Lamet this year, as he continues building his way back from the elbow injury that forced him to miss last postseason. Clearly, that plan does not entail Lamet being fully built up for Opening Day.

The 28-year-old right-hander hasn't yet appeared in a Cactus League game. He has passed every test in simulated games on the back fields at the Peoria Sports Complex (including an important one Thursday). But, by design, Lamet is moving slowly.

Lamet was never going to throw 250 innings this season. Considering the Padres' October ambitions, a lightened workload was always in the cards. But it remains a secret exactly how and when the Padres plan to push Lamet toward a return. As such, there's currently no timetable, but the next two weeks could bring some clarity.

4. Who fills out the bench -- and what's next for the prospects?
The Padres have built themselves such a deep roster that there's really only one roster battle on offense this spring: the race for the final place on the bench.

Jorge Mateo and Brian O'Grady are vying for that spot. After slow starts, they're both red hot, and the Padres' decision won't be an easy one. Mateo – as an elite pinch-runner who is also out of Minor League options – might have the slight edge.

And what about prospects CJ Abrams and Tucupita Marcano, who have been impressive all spring? Both Abrams and Marcano avoided the first round of roster cuts on Wednesday. But barring injuries, they're slated to open the season in the Minor Leagues. If they continue to perform, it won’t be long before they force the Padres' hand.

5. Can the Padres just get healthy?
News of José Castillo's Tommy John surgery was gut-wrenching. But aside from that, the Padres' other ailments this spring have been short term. Wil Myers (right-knee soreness) and Fernando Tatis Jr. (flu) are both back in the lineup after missing time. Tommy Pham has figured out an issue with his contact lenses and is raking again.

There are some other bumps and bruises the team would love to see resolved by Opening Day. Trent Grisham is still dealing with a hamstring strain and hasn't yet worked out with the team in his recovery. Austin Nola is a question mark for Opening Day because of a fractured left middle finger. Relievers Drew Pomeranz (forearm) and Pierce Johnson (groin) are working back from injuries.

If any of those four miss time in early April, the Padres could stomach it, so long as their long-term health is OK. But clearly they’d prefer to have them on board on April 1.