The Padres seem to be settling on a leadoff hitter. Their second baseman the last two days, however, is merely a function of rotating off-days for veterans.

Fernando Tatis Jr. is starting a second straight game at second base as Jake Cronenworth gets a day off against Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland.

Sunday’s first pitch is at 1:10 p.m.

Military Sunday. pic.twitter.com/ypcZ0lCsSD

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 12, 2026

Tatis started at second base on Saturday for the first time in his career, as Xander Bogaerts got the day off and Cronenworth — the regular backup at shortstop last year — got his first start at shortstop. Bogaerts is back in Sunday’s lineup, Tatis is at second base and Bryce Johnson is getting the start in right field.

After Saturday’s game, Padres manager Craig Stammen kind of foreshadowed a second straight start at second base for Tatis.

Especially if you knew the Rockies were throwing a left-hander and Cronenworth and Tatis were the only Padres not to receive a day off yet this season.

“I think (Tatis) is going to play right field most days,” Stammen said. “But kind of like what I said earlier today, when Xander needs a day off, or when Jake needs a day off, you know, he’s probably our best option to play second base at the moment.”

Tatis went 3-for-4 with a double on Saturday while batting second behind Ramón Laureano, who is leading off for the seventh time in eight games.

Saturday was his best effort yet as Laureano went 2-for-3 with a double, a homer and two walks atop the order.

“You’re just trying to find someone that’s not going fall into a slump when we put him in the leadoff spot, which is kind of what’s happened so far this season until Ramón,” Stammen said. “But we feel really good about him either against right-handed or left-handed pitching. He’s usually … pretty good at that and so far this season, he’s kind of handled both sides really well. He also brings a little bit of an attitude, a little bit of an ankle-biter kind of guy that the guys love in the dugout and in the clubhouse.

“So he’s perfect for us (at) leadoff.”

Laureano’s busy day atop the order on Saturday lifted the Padres’ leadoff hitters OPS to .543 — now 27th in the majors instead of last. The league average is still .725 but Laureano is now hitting .240/.321/.440 for a .761 OPS atop the order after hits in his last three starts in that spot.

With a left-hander on the mound, center fielder Jackson Merrill is the lone left-handed hitter in the lineup as Ty France (.258 OPS) will replace Gavin Sheets at first base and bat seventh, between designated hitter Nick Castellanos (.617 OPS) and the switch-hitting Johnson (.472 OPS).

Freddy Fermin (.514 OPS) will catch right-hander Nick Pivetta and bat ninth.

The Padres (9-6), who are using their 16th different lineup in 16 games, have won four straight games. Their nine wins entering Sunday are tied for the second most in the majors behind the Dodgers (11).

Here is how the Rockies (6-9) will line up for the series finale:

Sunday starters 👇 pic.twitter.com/uipxFuEofe

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 12, 2026

 

Sunday’s pitching matchup

Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (1-1, 2.30 ERA)

He leads the majors with four hit batters but has a 13-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio to start the season. Freeland is coming off his first quality start of the season at home against Houston (6⅓ IP, 1 ER, 5 Ks). Freeland has a 4.46 ERA in 135⅓ career innings against the Padres. He had a 3.46 ERA in two starts against them last year.

Here is how Freeland has fared against current Padres:

Padres RHP Nick Pivetta (1-2, 5.54 ERA)

He has a 1.80 ERA, 16 strikeouts and three walks over his last two starts but hasn’t yet turned in a quality start. Pivetta has a 9.64 ERA in 32⅔ career innings against the Rockies — due in large part to a 13.05 ERA at Coors Field — but he had a 4.24 ERA in three starts against the Rockies last year.

Here is how Pivetta has fared against current Rockies: