PEORIA, Ariz. —
Jayce Tingler’s staff huddled 10 games into their Cactus League slate to assess, at least initially, how the roster was shaping up. They hold conversations with each other and General Manager A.J. Preller and his front office lieutenants daily. Including split-squad action, the Padres will suit up for 14 more exhibitions before heading to Petco Park for their opening day matchup with the Colorado Rockies.
Over the next two weeks, whittling down the 61 remaining players in camp to the 26 who will be on the active roster March 26 includes choosing a fifth starting pitcher, a second baseman who starts more often than not and the precise mix of role players to stash on their bench.