Padres open spring with Craig Stammen’s first managerial win as Jackson Merrill sharpens Peoria focus

A new voice in the dugout, an early result on the field

The San Diego Padres opened the spring schedule with an early marker of transition: a first exhibition win under first-time manager Craig Stammen, a longtime major-league reliever who was hired to lead the club into the 2026 season. In their first days of Cactus League play, the Padres recorded a 10–3 victory over the Kansas City Royals, giving Stammen his first win as a manager in any professional game.

While spring results are not predictive on their own, the early game offered a first public look at how the Padres’ new staff is deploying players, managing workloads and setting a tone after an offseason managerial change. Stammen entered camp as a newcomer to the role but not to the organization, having spent the bulk of his playing career with San Diego and remaining with the franchise in staff and operations roles after his retirement.

Peoria becomes the proving ground for roster decisions

For players on the bubble, early games in Peoria are less about standings and more about clarity: who can cover multiple positions, who can handle specific matchup assignments, and who can contribute in short stints off the bench. The opening weekend also begins the process of building an Opening Day roster in a camp that typically includes veterans protecting established roles and younger players competing for the remaining spots.

Within that environment, early performances can influence the pace of opportunities. Players who arrive in camp healthy and productive often earn additional plate appearances or defensive reps, which in turn creates more evaluation data for the staff.

Jackson Merrill’s spring priority: maximize time and repetitions

Among the key position players in camp, outfielder Jackson Merrill has emphasized making full use of his time in Peoria as the club ramps up toward the regular season. Merrill is a central part of the Padres’ near- and long-term plans, and spring training provides a structured runway to refine timing at the plate, defensive routes and baserunning decisions in game conditions.

For everyday players, the early weeks commonly serve two parallel goals: building durability for a long season while also making targeted improvements. That process is often measured less by a single box score and more by consistent quality of at-bats, defensive execution and the ability to make adjustments across multiple games.

What to watch next as camp continues

• How Stammen allocates innings and at-bats as the schedule intensifies and the club faces stronger regulars from opposing teams.
• Which depth candidates force difficult roster choices by showing defensive versatility or reliable plate appearances.
• Whether core players, including Merrill, translate their camp objectives into repeatable in-game execution as workloads increase.

Spring training is the first stage of the Padres’ 2026 evaluation cycle: decisions made in Peoria will shape roles long before the games begin to count.

The Padres’ early win is only a starting point, but it underscores the immediate reality of camp: a new manager is setting standards in real time, and a roster is being defined one repetition at a time.