PHILADELPHIA -- Ramón Laureano landed on the 10-day injured list and Jase Bowen was promoted from Triple-A El Paso, as the Padres' outfield got a significant shakeup ahead of their series opener at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday night.
Laureano was placed on the IL with right hip inflammation, retroactive to May 31. Bowen, rated as the Padres' No. 23 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was in the starting lineup in Laureano’s spot in left field, batting seventh in his big league debut. Nick Pivetta was transferred to the 60-day IL to clear space for Bowen to be added to the 40-man roster.
Here’s what it all means:
What is Laureano’s timeline?
Padres manager Craig Stammen noted that Laureano has dealt with hip trouble on and off for most of the past five years. But recently, it began to act up to the point where it was affecting his performance. That’s when the team decided to place Laureano on the IL.
“We felt like it was smart to take care of it right now and get him on the IL, and really, hopefully, get him back in a relatively short time,” Stammen said.
When the team left Washington for Philadelphia on Sunday, Laureano instead headed to San Diego for further testing and imaging. Nonetheless, the Padres are hopeful his stay on the IL won’t be an extended one.
He’s eligible to return from the IL on June 10. That date might be a touch soon. But if all goes well, Laureano could be playing again this month.
“It just got to the point where it was like, ‘All right, need to take care of this a little bit,’” Stammen said.
If the Padres can get early-season Laureano back, that would be a major development. Laureano was hitting .292 with a .921 OPS on April 15. In the 36 games since, he was hitting .154 with a .517 OPS.
What to expect from Bowen
Bowen planned to take his wife to the airport on Monday morning. She had a flight to catch. Shortly before they were scheduled to leave, he got the phone call from Triple-A manager Pete Zamora. He would need to pack for his own flight -- to Philadelphia and the big leagues.
“It’s been surreal,” Bowen said. “Everything you dream of as a kid. Just so excited to be here and for today.”
There’s every chance that Bowen could stick with the big league club. At the very least, he’ll get the opportunity to prove himself.
The 25-year-old Ohio native has been mashing with El Paso, hitting 13 homers with a .962 OPS. He can back up at all three outfield spots but has played center field primarily this season. He can also serve as a pinch-hitting or pinch-running option.
“Just going to do my best to show up every day and compete and help the team win the best I can,” Bowen said.
Laureano had started the season strong but has slumped to a .203 batting average with a .660 OPS. It’s unclear when his hip began bothering him.
Bowen joined the club on a Minor League deal with an invite to big league Spring Training, after he’d spent six seasons in the Pirates’ system. He largely impressed during camp and was one of the team’s final cuts before the start of the season. He was sent to Triple-A, where he has continued to hit.
A right-handed hitter, Bowen is expected to serve as Jackson Merrill’s backup, with the possibility that he could get a few starts against left-handed pitching.
How does the outfield shake out?
The Padres are not short on candidates to replace Laureano in left field. Bowen got the first crack at it on Tuesday. But barring a major breakout, don’t expect him to be the everyday starter there.
Nick Castellanos can man left field in Laureano’s absence. So can Gavin Sheets, with Ty France at first base. Bryce Johnson is also available, though his role seems to be in some flux with the addition of Bowen.
One trickle-down effect of the injury is that Fernando Tatis Jr. might be destined for a few more starts in right field -- and that’s where he started in Tuesday’s series opener.
In any case, Stammen wouldn’t reveal his plans for the next couple weeks just yet.
“We’ll see,” Stammen said. “We’re kind of just focused on today and letting [Bowen] have his Major League debut. … Once we get past today, then we’ll talk about that stuff.”