The Padres diagnosed Morejon with a left elbow/forearm strain after he was removed in the first inning of his start Sunday against the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Morejon will be re-evaluated Monday before the Padres gain a better sense of how long the lefty will be sidelined, but a trip to the 10-day injured list is almost certainly on tap even if follow-up tests reveal no ligament damage. Fortunately for San Diego, the team should have some reinforcement for the rotation waiting in the wings, as Dinelson Lamet (elbow) looks like he could be ready to return from the IL after a successful throwing session earlier this weekend, per Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune. If Lamet isn't ready to pitch when Morejon's next turn in the rotation comes up Friday against the Dodgers, the Padres could turn to one of Ryan Weathers or Nabil Crismatt for a spot start, or deploy the two long relievers in a tandem.

Morejon was removed in the first inning of his start Sunday against the Rangers with an apparent elbow/forearm injury, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Morejon retired the first two batters he faced before he was visited on the mound by a team trainer following a four-pitch walk to Joey Gallo. The trainer was spotted holding Morejon's elbow during the mound visit, but the nature and extent of his injury likely won't be known until he's evaluated in the clubhouse. Even if an injury hadn't knocked Morejon out of Sunday's game, the lefty likely wouldn't have been in line for an extended run in San Diego's rotation with Dinelson Lamet (elbow) potentially on track to return from the 10-day injured list during the upcoming week.

Morejon allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out two batters over four innings in Monday's loss to the Giants. He didn't factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Both runs Morejon gave up came via solo home runs. The 22-year-old left-hander was taken deep to center by Darin Ruf to open up the second inning, then Evan Longoria drove a sinker out of the yard to put the Giants up 2-1 in the fourth. Morejon never pitched more than three innings in 2020, as he primarily served as an opener; however, the Padres stretched him out to be a starter this spring, and he should remain in the rotation until Dinelson Lamet (elbow) is able to come off the injured list. His next opportunity to pitch is expected to come against the Rangers on Sunday.

Morejon allowed two runs over 3.2 innings in Thursday's Cactus League contest versus Oakland, yielding four hits and two walks while striking out one. He is the "clear favorite" to grab the fifth-starter role at the beginning of the campaign, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com.

EDGE Analysis

Morejon is among a group of pitchers vying for a rotation spot that is looking likely to open as a result of Dinelson Lamet's (elbow) probable absence at the start of the campaign. Morejon appears to have an inside track on the role thanks to a solid spring in which he has notched a 3.38 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 11:8 K:BB over 10.2 innings. The 22-year-old also has an advantage by virtue of already having started six games in his brief big-league career.

Morejon hurled three innings in Saturday's Cactus League contest versus Arizona, allowing one run on four hits and no walks while striking out five.

EDGE Analysis

Morejon surrendered a leadoff home run to Ketel Marte, but he had little trouble with the Diamondbacks thereafter. The southpaw has allowed only two runs through seven innings this spring while striking out 10. His six walks are worrisome, but Morejon eased some of that concern by refusing to yield a free pass Saturday. The 22-year-old is expected to break camp with San Diego, though his role has yet to be laid out. Morejon is in contention for a rotation spot, but he could also function in a multiple-inning relief role.

Morejon is a candidate for a rotation role to begin the campaign, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

There is some question about whether Dinelson Lamet (elbow) will re ready by the start of the campaign, which could open the door for one of the Padres' young pitchers to temporarily claim a rotation spot. Morejon might be the favorite in that scenario given that his theoretical competitors for the role (MacKenzie Gore and Ryan Weathers) have each yet to throw a regular-season big-league inning. Morejon has thus far allowed only one run over four innings this spring while racking up five strikeouts, though his six walks are a concern.

Morejon will start San Diego's first Cactus League game Sunday against Seattle, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though Morejon doesn't currently project to be among San Diego's top five starters, the team has decided to stretch him out to start during camp. There's a decent likelihood the Padres will use a six-man rotation to kick off the campaign, and Morejon would be a top candidate to start games in that scenario. As such, his performance during spring training could set up his opportunities in 2021.

Morejon is likely to spend the beginning of spring camp stretching into a starter, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Morejon split time last season between the bullpen and the rotation, though he never went longer than three innings. His high pitch count came in a postseason start against the Dodgers when he threw 50 pitches and allowed three earned runs over two innings. Morejon has started each of his 43 minor-league appearances, however, and San Diego clearly sees him as a rotation option in the long term. The left-hander is likely to open the season in the big-league bullpen but could be in line to shift to the rotation if a need arises.

Morejon picked up the loss as the opener in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Thursday, giving up three runs on two hits and two walks in just two innings while striking out two batters.

EDGE Analysis

The brief outing was seemingly the plan all along, as Morejon had averaged 2.03 innings per appearance in his 11 previous outings this season. He retired the side in the first inning but struggled in the second, allowing three baserunners and one run. He stayed in the game to start the third but allowed both of the first two batters to reach base, both of whom would come around to score. It was a disappointing outing for the talented young lefty, but the mere fact that he was trusted to open the game with the Padres' season on the line indicates how highly the team thinks of him.

Morejon will start Game 3 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Thursday, Bob Scanlan of FOX Sports San Diego reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 21-year-old will take the mound with the Padres' season potentially on the line. Morejon won't operate as a traditional starter as his highest pitch count this season was 41 pitches, but he should be able to cover a few innings if he's effective. The left-hander has provided three scoreless frames in the playoffs and had a 4.66 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB over 19.1 innings during the regular season.