Padres manager Bob Melvin announced Tuesday he will undergo prostate surgery and miss at least the next week of games.
"It is what it is," Melvin said. "Timetable is hopefully at the longest I just miss this road trip. I hope it's shorter than that, but that's probably the timetable."
Bench coach Ryan Christenson is expected to manage in Melvin's place during the nine-game road trip that begins Friday in Atlanta and ends May 22. Christenson may begin his duties as soon as Tuesday night against the Cubs, but as of late afternoon had not received results of a second COVID test to clear him to return. Christenson was placed in COVID protocols Monday night.
Melvin, 60, addressed his health development as matter-of-factly as he would explaining using a pinch-hitter in a game.
"Just want to get it over with," he said.
Melvin, who told players the news in an afternoon meeting, said he has experienced symptoms that led to the discovery of the need for surgery. He said it is not believed he has cancer but that surgeons won't know for sure until the surgery.
Melvin missed the game last Thursday against the Marlins and managed Monday despite not feeling well. He said the symptoms he felt have "made it a little difficult to get through games."
Christenson was Melvin's bench coach in Oakland from 2018 through last season and joined him here. Players have given Christenson credit for many things involving game planning and instruction and rave about the way he communicates.
"Obviously Bob is Bob, and the presence he brings is unmatched," second baseman Jake Cronenworth said. "But if there's anybody who can step in in his place, it's Ryan. He's been with Bob for forever. We trust those guys the same."
The Padres also have third base coach Matt Williams, a former big-league manager, on the staff. Melvin, who indicated he could manage Tuesday if Christenson was not cleared, will be in regular contact with Christenson regarding the lineup and other aspects of running the team.
"Everybody's biggest question is Bob's health, making sure that he's in a good place here in the next few days and gets some relief," Padres President of Business Operations A.J. Preller said. "The diagnosis from the doctors has been good. In terms of the team and the staff, we've got a lot of experience, and guys know their responsibilities. I think everybody's looking forward to stepping up and keeping things going."
Melvin asserted the transition will be seamless.
"He's a future manager waiting to happen," Melvin said of Christenson. "… He's been with me for quite a while now, and he's going to manage at some point in time. We look at the game similarly. He's gonna manage it basically kind of the way I do. We've been together long enough to where he shouldn't miss a beat. Looking forward to be able to give him an opportunity to get some games in a row as well."
