San Diego Padres Projected 25-Man Roster For 2018

San Diego Padres Projected Bullpen

As fun as spring training competitions are, unfortunately, only a couple bullpen spots will be available this year for the San Diego Padres. New addition Kazuhisa Makita will slide in behind Brad Hand, Craig Stammen, and Kirby Yates in the bullpen hierarchy.

More from Friars on Base

• Padres fighting with hated rival to sign quality veteran relief pitcher
• Jurickson Profar free agency update likely rules out Padres reunion
• Fernando Tatis Jr. may not take to outfield move after Xander Bogaerts addition
• Padres News: Fernando Tatis Jr. trade rumors, Seth Lugo chase, Manny Machado
• Padres barely missed out on high-end veteran starting pitcher

That leaves only one or two positions open for competition. Whoever misses out on becoming the sixth starter for the Padres will likely become the Friars’ long-reliever.

Whether that will be Jordan Lyles or Tyson Ross will be determined over the next six weeks.

There is a distinct possibility that the Padres will simply make Dillon Overton their left-handed specialist out of the ‘pen and not carry a long-relief man at all, simply using their most-rested starter if/when he’s needed early in the game.

CL: Brad Hand

RP1 – Craig Stammen

RP2 – Kirby Yates

RP3 – Kazuhisa Makita

RP4 – Dillon Overton

Again, we could very likely see Ross or Lyles in the bullpen as well. Since that roster spot has already been accounted for, in order to make room for the extra bench player I have the San Diego Padres carrying into the season, we’re going to leave the bullpen as it is above.