The mystery is out, and the Padres are not hiding.

No longer is San Diego a covert contender in the Bryce Harper sweepstakes, as the late-entering Padres, perhaps anticipating a lower-than-expected price, have jumped into the fray. They will be sitting down in Las Vegas with the six-time All-Star Thursday night, The Athletic reported. The report added representatives from Padres ownership are expected to attend.

The front-runner for Harper’s services has been the Phillies, who are also in on Manny Machado and already have cautioned they do not believe they can/will land both. The Nationals, whose reported $300 million offer during last season was turned down, are still in the mix yet not active. Nationals owner Mark Lerner said last month he doesn’t expect Harper back, and Washington has given its max offer.

The White Sox also are in play, but it might be a tough sell for a team that has spent its offseason adding Machado confidants and is coming off a 100-loss season.

The Padres, who finished 66-96 last season, have what’s regarded as the best minor league system in baseball and not much money on the books. But they were believed to be waiting at least a year to make their splash, wanting to combine their young, emerging talent with proven stars. If the price has fallen on Harper, perhaps they cannot wait.

Strangely, the Yankees and Dodgers — big-market teams normally in the market for big-name superstars — have sat out the auction.