SAN DIEGO -- Padres manager Bob Melvin is dealing with a gastrointestinal issue that put his status for Monday’s game in question right up until first pitch, though Melvin was ultimately able to manage the team’s series opener against the Cubs at Petco Park.

Initially, Melvin had been ruled out, but moments before the game was set to begin, Melvin was “feeling a little better,” according to a team spokesperson, and therefore was back in the Padres dugout.

Meanwhile, bench coach Ryan Christenson entered COVID protocols on Monday night, unrelated to Melvin’s illness, the team said. Christenson served as acting manager last week when Melvin missed the opener of the Padres' series against the Marlins with the same issue. With Melvin feeling under the weather again following the team’s 6-0 loss to Chicago and Christenson out, third-base coach Matt Williams handled postgame media duties.

“Bob went through the whole game,” Williams said. “He’s just not feeling well.”

If Melvin and Christenson were to miss any further game action, it would be Williams stepping into the manager’s role. He spent two seasons at the helm of the Nationals in 2014 and ’15. Right now, however, the Padres are hopeful that Melvin will be able to fill that role for Tuesday night’s game.

The Padres hired Melvin in October, after he’d spent 11 seasons in Oakland. He’s led the team to an impressive 19-10 start, even while superstar shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and a handful of other impact players remain on the injured list.