ST. PETERSBURG – Padres second baseman Luis Rengifo was removed from Saturday’s 7-6 loss to the Rays with a right leg injury during the seventh inning. Rengifo crumpled to the infield turf, where he laid for five minutes before being assisted onto a medical cart and taken for further examination.
Rengifo was diagnosed with a sprained right knee, and he will fly back to San Diego for imaging.
After Rays designated hitter Yandy Díaz smacked a long bases-loaded single to the center-field wall, Jackson Merrill threw back to Rengifo, the cutoff man, who immediately ran toward third base, looking to nab late-starting baserunner Taylor Walls. But with Cedric Mullins breaking toward the plate, Rengifo stopped in the area of shortstop to throw home. As he threw, Rengifo’s right leg appeared to give way and his throw yanked wide of catcher Luis Campusano, allowing an additional two runs to score on the play to tie the game.
Rengifo is batting .240 with four home runs and 36 RBIs. That includes a .291 average in 38 games since joining the Padres in early July.