PEORIA, Ariz. — Bryce Johnson got fill-in work while Fernando Tatis Jr. missed a chunk of the 2024 season with a quad injury, was passed over for a bench spot on the playoff roster that October and then was cast off the 40-man roster and into free agency after the season. He circled back to San Diego last year — after a minor league deal with the Pirates, a trade back to the Padres and a stint at Triple-A El Paso — and thrived as a fourth outfielder, earning him a spot on the NL Wild Card Series roster and on the 40-man roster throughout the offseason.
But that’s changed little about how the 30-year-old Texan is approaching this spring.
He’s in a fight.
There’s no other way around it.
“You never truly know where you’re at when you’re in my position,” Johnson said. “ … I don’t want to get in the mindset of being complacent and stuff like that. I just try to show up and be consistent each day. Try to build off what I did last year, know who I am as a player and just continue to go out there and play.”
The playing time will certainly be there now.
With Tatis, third baseman Manny Machado and shortstop Xander Bogaerts officially off to the World Baseball Classic, the fight for seemingly one bench spot available will come into focus over the next two weeks.
Just one?
Well, the Padres did not bring in anyone to truly push Luis Campusano for the backup catching job, Sung-Mun Song’s $2.5 million salary seemingly gives him a head start on a super utility role and big-league deals and track records make Miguel Andujar and Nick Castellanos the logical right-handed hitters to cycle through first base and DH with Gavin Sheets.
What’s left?
Looks like a free-for-all featuring lots of different player types — from Johnson to Samad Taylor to Ty France to Jose Miranda to Mason McCoy and plenty more.
“There’s always a lot of different things that happen and different equations,” Padres manager Craig Stammen said. “… I’ve always said you want somebody off the bench that’s going to scare an opposing pitcher if you want to pinch-hit him, and then you need guys that can do special things, be puzzle pieces, can play different positions, can steal a base, can be very strategic defensively, you know, improve our defense at the end of a game.
“We’ll weigh all those attributes and figure out who’s best for those spots.”
Peoria, AZ – February 22: Sung-Mun Song #24 of the San Diego Padres plays third base against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game on February 22, 2026 in Peoria, AZ. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Song’s versatility will be worth watching in that equation. The Korean import has worked at second base and third base so far in camp, and could provide some extra value if he takes to shortstop and outfield work in the coming days.
Song at shortstop would be especially intriguing; Mason McCoy is the only current option on the 40-man roster behind Bogaerts, although Jake Cronenworth can certainly slide over in a pinch.
Time will tell.
In the meantime, there will be plenty of at-bats to spread around.
Castellanos and Miranda started for Tatis and Machado in right field and third base, respectively, on Saturday. Johnson and Nick Schnell got at-bats in that game. On Sunday, the Padres’ first spring training game without Bogaerts, McCoy started at shortstop. Miranda was first base, with Song at second, France at third, Johnson in right field and Jace Bowen in center.
Expect more of the same until Tatis, Machado and Bogaerts return.
“I think the opportunity’s there,” McCoy said. “I’m not trying to overthink it. Just go out and play. Bogey’s going to be at the WBC, tearing it up hopefully, and I’ll get some opportunities to go out and play. But you know, I’m not a young guy. … I don’t feel, like, a pressure to go do all these things. Just go and play your game and it’ll take care of itself.”
Peoria, AZ – February 23: Mason McCoy #18 of the San Diego Padres plays shortstop during a spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers on February 23, 2026 in Peoria, AZ. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Toward that end, the 30-year-old McCoy entered as a defensive replacement on Wednesday, promptly recorded an out via a spinning throw to first and pumped his fist. He went on to beat out a bunt single and shot a two-run double to right, a reminder of why he’s been called up the previous two seasons.
Recent, familiar history is also on the side of the 30-year-old Johnson, a switch-hitter who batted .343 and went 4-for-5 in stolen-base attempts while playing all three outfield spots last year.
The Padres also know all about France — a Gold Glover at first base last year who has also been an All-Star since he was traded away — but there are all kinds of new faces looking to force their way into a bench battle over the next two weeks.
Peoria, AZ – February 20: Jose Miranda #64 o the San Diego Padres celebrates a two-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during a spring training game on February 20, 2026 in Peoria, AZ. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Two, a speedy outfielder in Taylor and a former Twins standout in Miranda, entered Sunday tied for the team lead with six hits. Schnell is tied with Machado for the team lead with two homers. Miranda is tied with outfielder Nick Solak for the team lead with 11 total bases and Bowen (3) has one more steal than Taylor (2).
That’s one way to begin to leave an impression.
“They told me (Machado) was going to be at the WBC and that there was going to be some playing time,” the 27-year-old Miranda said. “They wanted to see me play, see me hit and see how I was performing. Manny’s going to be out for a little bit and I’m going to have some at-bats and some playing time. Just show them who I am.”
Added Taylor, also 27: “When you’ve got an organization like this … you’re not dealing with a rebuild. You have your stamped guys, and I feel like every day you’re fighting for a spot. … You’re fighting for your job every day. You’re fighting for your life every day.”