CJ Abrams makes Padres roster, will continue his development in the major leagues

CJ Abrams knew it.

As manager Bob Melvin has said a few times and did again Thursday, confidence might be Abrams’ best tool.

But a few minutes into a mid-afternoon meeting on Wednesday with Melvin and Preller, Abrams acknowledged there was a moment of doubt. But finally, after Preller talked about Abrams’ journey, which included a recap of his injury-interrupted 2021, Melvin got around to telling him he had made the opening-day roster.

“It was amazing,” Abrams said Thursday. “… All I did was smile.”

The Padres’ keeping the 21-year-old Abrams has been all but certain for more than a week. It is a result of his performance in the spring and the Padres needing another infielder while Fernando Tatis Jr. misses at least the first two months of the season following wrist surgery.

“You knew he was going to be a quick ascend to the big leagues,” Melvin said of Abrams, the organization’s top prospect. “This is really quick, but everything that we saw this spring training suggests that he can handle it. … He’s a terrific player. We’re a little short on infield guys right now. But regardless, the spring that he had and the impact that he made on not only myself but the coaching staff and the team, suggests he should be here.”

Abrams’ professional experience consists of 76 games in the minor leagues. It was Melvin, according to several people in the organization familiar with internal discussions over the past couple weeks, who pushed for Abrams to be on the roster. Preller believes Abrams has a future that could be as bright as that of Tatis, but he also wants to see Abrams be able to develop properly as a player.

“I think CJ earned the job in the spring training,” Preller said. “He showed that — at least breaking out of camp — he can help us win games. I think our staff understands that it’ll be a balance between him getting experience at the big league level, which will help his development, but also making sure that the days he’s not playing he’s learning and really drawing off a really experienced coaching staff.”

Abrams is expected to play regularly at shortstop against right-handed starters, though indications are that Ha-seong Kim will start against some righties, as well as against left-handers. Abrams briefly tracked fly balls in the outfield during batting practice before spending most of his time taking grounders at shortstop and second base.

“I think I’ve got better every day,’ Abrams said. “I went out there had fun, showed what I can do, showed I’m ready to play and I can help the team. … Wherever I’m needed, whenever I’m needed, I’m willing to do it.”

Outfielder Jose Azocar made the team after a strong spring. He is coveted especially for his defense and ability to play all three spots.

The Padres also kept Javy Guerra, the hard-throwing right-hander who is out of minor league options and would have had to be released had he not been on the roster.

The Padres on Thursday morning moved to supplement their bullpen and outfield by trading pitchers Chris Paddack and Emilio Pagàn to the Twins for lefthander Taylor Rogers and corner outfielder Brent Rooker. Rooker is not on the opening-day roster and was instead optioned to Triple-A.

On Tuesday, the Padres traded Victor Caratini to the Brewers for minor leaguers Brett Sullivan and Korry Howell.

The team lists Matt Beaty as an infielder. He split his time fairly evenly between left field and first base during the spring after being acquired last month in a trade with the Dodgers.

Tatis was placed on the 60-day injured list, and pitcher Kyle Tyler was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Abrams and Azocar.

Starting pitcher Mike Clevinger (right MCL sprain) and Luis Garcia (right oblique strain) were placed on the 10-day IL.

Here is the roster:

Starters (5): Yu Darvish, Sean Manaea (L), Nick Martinez, Joe Musgrove, Blake Snell (L).

Relievers (10): Austin Adams, Nabil Crismatt, Javy Guerra, Tim Hill (L), Pierce Johnson, Dinelson Lamet, Taylor Rogers (L), Craig Stammen, Robert Suarez, Steven Wilson.

Catchers (2): Jorge Alfaro, Austin Nola.

Infielders (7): CJ Abrams, Matt Beaty, Jake Cronenworth, Eric Hosmer, Ha-seong Kim, Manny Machado, Luke Voit.

Outfielders (4): Jose Azocar, Trent Grisham, Wil Myers, Jurickson Profar.