Analysis: Rosario had seemed like a good bet to be claimed off waivers or traded after being designated for assignment, but he will remain in the organization. The 25-year-old will provide depth as a utility infielder at El Paso.

Analysis: Brito was shut down from throwing during spring training after experiencing diminished velocity, and he's been on the IL since the start of the season due to a forearm strain. His move to the 60-day IL guarantees he'll be out until at least late May, but there's also a possibility he undergoes surgery to address the issue and misses more time. His roster spot will be given to Oscar Gonzalez, who was selected to the 40-man roster Thursday but will remain in Triple-A for now.

Analysis: While attending camp with the Padres on a minor-league deal, Gonzalez wasn't able to break camp with the big club but impressed during his time in the Cactus League with a .995 OPS over 21 games. He's hitting just .167 through four games at El Paso to begin the season, but he busted out of his slump Wednesday by slugging a pair of solo home runs. Though Gonzalez won't be joining the Padres, his addition to the 40-man roster will allow San Diego to more easily promote him when the big club requires additional outfield depth as the season unfolds.

Analysis: After an uncharacteristic 0-for-16 start from the three-time batting champion, Arraez has begun to look like his regular self with hits in three consecutive games. Wednesday's contest also saw the 27-year-old belt his first home run of the season, though fantasy managers shouldn't expect many more long balls from him after he finished 2024 with just four homers.

Analysis: Suarez's start to the regular season has made his disastrous spring training feel like a distant memory. He's now converted all three of his save opportunities while striking out four batters and allowing just one man to reach base via a walk. The 34-year-old remains one of the most reliable relievers in the game and doesn't appear to be at risk of losing his hold on the Padres' closer job.

Analysis: Cease took a shutout into the seventh inning but was pulled after a Lane Thomas groundout plated a run for the Guardians. Cease's dominant showing, combined with a four-run third inning from the Padres' offense, allowed the 29-year-old righty to take home his first win of the new season fairly comfortably. He'll look to stay hot next week when he faces the Athletics on the road.

Analysis: Heyward had started in each of the Padres' first four matchups versus right-handed pitching, but he'll take a seat Wednesday even while the Guardians sent righty Ben Lively to the hill. The veteran outfielder has gone 2-for-14 at the dish so far this season, and his ongoing struggles could begin to cost him some playing time.

Analysis: Diaz will get some rest for the day game after he went 0-for-7 while starting behind the dish in the first two contests of the series. Martin Maldonado will handle the catching duties for San Diego on Wednesday.

Analysis: The Padres' pitching staff continues to roll, racking up its third shutout in the last four games, and King's performance was maybe the best one yet from the team's rotation. The right-hander generated 18 swinging strikes among his 88 pitches (56 total strikes) and didn't let a runner get past second base. King sports a 14:5 K:BB through his first 7.2 innings of 2025, and he'll look to remain dominant in his next start, which lines up to come on the road early next week against the A's.

Analysis: Per Murray, the nine-year deal can max out at $165 million if Merrill reaches 500 plate appearances in every season of the contract and also includes a $30 million club option for the 2035 season that can be converted to a player option. The 21-year-old Merrill was rewarded with the lavish deal after earning an All-Star nod and Silver Slugger Award while finishing second in the National League Rookie of the Year Award balloting in 2024, when he slashed .292/.326/.500 with 24 home runs, 16 stolen bases, 90 RBI and 77 runs in 593 plate appearances. He's gotten off to a strong start through the Padres' first six games of 2025, going 8-for-20 with a home run and a 2:3 BB:K.

Analysis: Wade was designated for assignment Thursday after losing his spot on the roster to Jose Iglesias. Wade will get to stick with the Padres organization in their farm system. The 30-year-old made his last appearance in the minors during 2023 for Triple-A Las Vegas after the Athletics designated him for assignment.

Analysis: Sheets started the previous four games -- all against right-handed starting pitchers -- and has gone 7-for-14 with two doubles, a homer and five RBI this season, but he'll sit Tuesday while lefty Logan Allen takes the mound for Cleveland. Yuli Gurriel will continue to fill the small side of the platoon at designated hitter and bat sixth.

Analysis: Heyward has gone 1-for-12 through five games this season and will sit Tuesday with southpaw Logan Allen taking the mound for the Guardians. Brandon Lockridge will start in left field and bat eighth.

Analysis: After starting the first five games of the season and going 3-for-15 with a double, a homer and a 4:6 BB:K, Cronenworth will take a seat for Tuesday's contest. Jose Iglesias will man the keystone and bat seventh against Cleveland lefty Logan Allen.

Analysis: Lockridge entered as a pinch hitter for Jason Heyward in the sixth inning, drawing a walk versus lefty Jose Suarez. Lockridge would remain in the game to face right-hander Hector Neris in the eighth, where he roped an RBI-double before stealing third base and scoring on a Fernando Tatis single. The 28-year-old Lockridge still finds himself on the short side of a platoon, though he could soon see more playing time over Heyward, who's gone 0-for-10 to start the year. Lockridge would offer some upside in the Padres' lineup thanks to his base-stealing ability -- he swiped 46 bags in the minors last season.

Analysis: Sheets has started the last three games at DH against right-handed pitching. He's responded well to the opportunity, going 4-for-11 with a home run to start the campaign. Playing the strong side of a platoon, Sheets should offer decent fantasy value in a high-powered Padres lineup.

Analysis: Bogaerts extended San Diego's lead to 2-0 with his two-out double off AJ Smith-Shawver in the third inning. He'd later lead off the eighth with a walk before swiping second and scoring on a Brandon Lockridge double. It's been a solid start to the year for the 32-year-old Bogaerts -- he's now 3-for-11 with two doubles and two stolen bases through four games after slashing .264/.307/.381 with 11 home runs and 13 steals across 463 plate appearances in 2024.

Analysis: The Padres couldn't have asked for more out of Pivetta in his first start in San Diego, as the right-hander held a powerful Atlanta offense to a lone third-inning single en route to a shutout victory. The 32-year-old Pivetta signed with San Diego late in the offseason after posting a 4.14 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 172:36 K:BB across 145.2 innings with the Red Sox last year. Pivetta will look to keep rolling in his second start, currently scheduled for next week on the road against the Cubs.

Analysis: After a rough spring in which he hit .143, Heyward's standing atop the depth chart in left field appeared to be shaky, but he's now cracked the lineup in each of the Padres' first three matchups with right-handed starting pitchers. However, Heyward's struggles have continued into the season, as he's yet to record a hit or draw a walk in eight plate appearances. The Padres may give Heyward some more time to get into a rhythm at the plate, but if he can't get going, he'll be at high risk of losing his strong-side platoon role.

Analysis: The 32-year-old departed Saturday's contest due to right calf tightness, but his presence in the lineup Sunday indicates it's not a serious concern. Machado went 2-for-3 with a double and two walks in the season opener, though he's gone 0-for-6 with a strikeout in the past two games.