MILWAUKEE -- Officially, the Padres’ National League Division Series roster is unchanged from the group that swept the Cubs in the Wild Card Series earlier this week.
But shortly after the announcement of their roster, right-hander Walker Buehler was placed on the paternity list with fellow righty Randy Vásquez set to take his place until Buehler returns.
Buehler was a candidate to start Game 1 of the NLDS, but Robbie Ray got the nod with Buehler presumably pushed back to start Game 3 or 4 at Petco Park. (Michael King has already been tabbed for Game 2.) By rule, when Buehler returns, he will take Vásquez’s place on the roster.
Once again, the Padres will carry 11 pitchers and 15 hitters on their roster. There had been some speculation they might add another pitcher, given they would likely need four starters for the Division Series, rather than three. But Vásquez’s inclusion for the first two games seems to mitigate that concern slightly.
Offensively, the Padres’ decision to carry 15 hitters worked to perfection in the Wild Card Series. Across two games, they used all 15 of their position players -- including three catchers.
Here’s the Padres' roster in full:
- Right-handers (8): Jason Adam, Michael King, Mason Miller, David Morgan, Joe Musgrove, Nick Pivetta, Bradgley Rodriguez, Randy Vásquez
- Left-handers (3): Yuki Matsui, Adrian Morejon, Robbie Ray
- Catchers (3): Luis Campusano, Freddy Fermin, Ethan Salas
- Infielders (6): Miguel Andujar, Xander Bogaerts, Jake Cronenworth, Ty France, Manny Machado, Gavin Sheets
- Outfielders (6): Jase Bowen, Dustin Harris, Austin Hays, Jackson Merrill, Fernando Tatis Jr., Samad Taylor