SAN DIEGO -- Padres catcher Freddy Fermin exited Thursday’s game against the Dodgers in the fifth inning with an apparent injury.
Fermin, who spent 10 days on the concussion IL last month, took a couple foul balls to the mask on Thursday night -- including a hard foul ball from Freddie Freeman in the fifth inning. Manager Craig Stammen emerged to check on Fermin and was joined by a team trainer shortly thereafter. Fermin was promptly removed from the game.
The team offered no specifics on the nature of Fermin’s exit. But it could be another blow for a Padres team that has been hit hard by injuries lately. They placed Jason Adam on the injured list on Thursday afternoon before the game.
If Fermin were to miss further time, the likeliest replacement is Blake Hunt, who was promoted last month when Fermin landed on the IL. He and Rodolfo Durán would split time behind the plate.
Of course, Luis Campusano likely isn’t far from a return from his left big toe fracture. Campusano began a rehab stint with Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday.
Fermin has struggled for much of the season at the plate, batting .152 with a .520 OPS.