Jackson Merrill, coming off a game-winning hit last night, will bat leadoff tonight.

“He’s gonna have an unbelievable year.”

As the Padres adjust to new changes around the field, Fernando Tatis Jr. looks like he’s back to being his old self: theathletic.com/5411995/2024/0…

An amused Fernando Tatis Jr. said the heckling from the outfield stands tonight included a suggestion that he had gotten a Brazilian butt lift. 'You hear a little bit of everything (playing at Dodger Stadium),' Tatis said.

Fernando Tatis Jr. is up to 11 home runs in 29 career games at Dodger Stadium. Tonight, he's wearing custom 'In The Blood' cleats to honor one Fernando Tatis Sr.

Jake Cronenworth has homered in consecutive games for the first time since Sept. 6-7, 2022. Tonight's game is up to seven total home runs.

It's a slugfest at Dodger Stadium, where Xander Bogaerts booted a two-out grounder and Mookie Betts hit the next pitch out for a go-ahead homer.

Ha-Seong Kim helped manufacture a run with his legs earlier, but a rough start to his season continues. Moments after Kim's third error of 2024, Dylan Cease served up a two-run homer. Kim committed just four errors in 2023.

Daniel Camarena was a subject of discussion among Padres players late Monday. “You have a pitcher get his first hit, and it’s a grand slam off Max Scherzer — that’s pretty epic. Also a pretty epic comeback tonight.” theathletic.com/5401428/2024/0…

Padres vs. Cubs RHP Javier Assad:

Bogaerts 2B, Tatis RF, Cronenworth 1B, Machado DH, Profar LF, Kim SS, Campusano C, Merrill CF, Wade 3B

For the first time this season, Kim will bat sixth instead of fifth.

Manny Machado had elbow surgery six months ago. Doctors have told him he might not be close to 100 percent until 2025. For now, he’s continuing on a gradual road back to playing third base: theathletic.com/5398624/2024/0…

The Padres, playing their third one-run game in four contests, came from ahead to lose 3-2 to the Giants. San Diego is 5-7, including 1-2 in one-run games. The starting pitching has been encouraging. The offense and bullpen continue to be major concerns.

After today’s game, Mike Shildt shouted out longtime assistant GM Fred Uhlman Jr., who’s stepping away after 28 years with the Padres. Uhlman had agreed to continue working for the team through Opening Day before making it official.

The Padres recently expressed trade interest in at least a couple of prominent Marlins players. With Ken Rosenthal: theathletic.com/5389693/2024/0…

Who does Juan Soto trust?

A deep dive into the past 20 months as Soto looks poised for a potential record-breaking future:

theathletic.com/5383787/2024/0…

Remembering Larry Lucchino, a baseball visionary: theathletic.com/5386162/2024/0…

On Monday evening, Mike Shildt lined up
against an organization he thought he’d never leave. He’s grateful for a second chance with a new team, but the impact of his old club will stay with him forever.

With Dennis Lin:

theathletic.com/5384625/2024/0…

A big reason behind Peter Seidler's commitment to maintaining and updating Petco Park was his admiration for Larry Lucchino, a close friend. 'He's one of baseball's special visionaries and executives,' Seidler said in 2021.

'I was way more hyped for his homer than my first hit,' Jackson Merrill said. Graham Pauley, Merrill's friend and roommate, will get his first big-league start today: theathletic.com/5380485/2024/0…

The Padres need an offensive infusion. Saturday showed one option: theathletic.com/5380485/2024/0…

Fernando Tatis Jr. is wearing custom cleats to honor Peter Seidler. (Photo credit: Xample)