SAN DIEGO -- The Padres finalized their Opening Day roster ahead of Thursday's opener against Atlanta, with minimal surprise.

They'd set the position-player half of their roster and their rotation earlier in the week. The final spot in the bullpen went to lefty Omar Cruz.

Here's a breakdown of the full 26:

Catchers (2): Elias Díaz, Martín Maldonado
After a largely underwhelming spring for the Padres behind the plate, Díaz separated himself as the clear starter after signing a one-year deal to return to the club in late January. That left a trio of options vying for the backup role -- Maldonado, Luis Campusano and Brett Sullivan.

The Padres chose Maldonado in large part for his experience and his ability to handle a pitching staff. Campusano was optioned to Triple-A El Paso, while Sullivan, who was out of options, cleared waivers and was outrighted to El Paso.

Infield (7): Luis Arraez, Jake Cronenworth, Xander Bogaerts, Manny Machado, Jose Iglesias, Yuli Gurriel, Gavin Sheets
The Padres' starting infield has been set since manager Mike Shildt announced Bogaerts' move back to shortstop at FanFest in early February. From left to right, it'll be Machado-Bogaerts-Cronenworth-Arraez -- a group that represents one of the league's best infields, even if it's getting a bit of a positional shakeup after Ha-Seong Kim's departure.

Iglesias can be viewed as a replacement for Kim as a slick defender and solid righty hitter, though he'll serve mostly in a bench role. Gurriel and Sheets earned their way onto the roster with their Cactus League performance and could platoon at DH.

Outfield (4): Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, Jason Heyward, Brandon Lockridge
Lockridge won the final position-player spot on the roster, and he did so with a wildly impressive spring in every facet. He's always been renowned as an excellent runner and defender. But his solid showing at the plate means he could share time with Heyward in left -- starting against lefties and serving as a defensive replacement.

“The one way I’ve been taught to think about rosters is: How does the player beat the other team?” Shildt said. “Simple terms. The thing about Lock is he can do it a lot of different ways.”

With Lockridge's inclusion, the Padres designated Tyler Wade and Eguy Rosario for assignment. Both were out of options.

Rotation (5): Michael King, Dylan Cease, Nick Pivetta, Kyle Hart, Randy Vásquez
Injuries shook up the Padres' rotation race this spring. Yu Darvish will miss the start of the season with right elbow inflammation, though he played catch during Wednesday's workout day. That left two spots open instead of one -- spots ultimately won by Hart and Vásquez.

Right-hander Stephen Kolek, the odd-man out, was optioned to Triple-A. Early-spring candidates Matt Waldron (left oblique strain) and Jhony Brito (left elbow soreness) will also open the year on the IL, and the team has since stated its plan to use Brito as a reliever full-time when he returns to health.

Bullpen (8): Robert Suarez, Jason Adam, Jeremiah Estrada, Adrian Morejon, Yuki Matsui, Alek Jacob, Wandy Peralta, Omar Cruz
Cruz's inclusion was the only remaining roster question mark ahead of Thursday's deadline. The Padres had optioned him earlier this spring but were permitted to recall him as an IL replacement. A couple relievers are slated to open the season on the IL -- righties Bryan Hoeing (right shoulder soreness) and Sean Reynolds (right foot stress reaction). Cruz provides the Padres the length they're looking for at the start of the year.

There remains plenty of high-end talent at the back end, with Suarez, Adam and Estrada. But without Tanner Scott, the Opening Day bullpen skews a bit righty-heavy. As such, the Padres will be relying on Morejon to build on his excellent 2024 season. Perhaps Matsui will make a leap in Year 2 as well.