SAN DIEGO — Padres manager Bob Melvin is dealing with a gastrointestinal issue that put his status for Monday’s game in question right up until first pitch, though Melvin was ultimately able to manage the team’s series opener against the Cubs at Petco Park.
Initially, Melvin had been ruled out, but moments before the game was set to begin, Melvin was “feeling a little better,” according to a team spokesperson, and therefore was back in the Padres dugout.
Bench coach Ryan Christenson served as acting manager last week when Melvin missed the opener of the Padres’ series against the Marlins with the same issue. For much of the afternoon on Monday, Christenson was expected to manage. He’s served as bench coach under Melvin for the past five seasons and would fill the role of manager should Melvin miss any further time.
The Padres hired Melvin in October, after he’d spent 11 seasons in Oakland. He’s led the team to an impressive 19-10 start, even while superstar shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and a handful of other impact players remain on the injured list.
