Injuries & Moves: Bogaerts returns to lineup
LATEST NEWS
June 9: SS Xander Bogaerts returns
The star shortstop, who missed four games while battling soreness in his left wrist, returned to the lineup in the series opener against the Rockies. Bogaerts said the time off helped his wrist heal significantly, and he put his confidence in it at "99.9%."
"I've felt better every day since I came out of the game [on Saturday]," Bogaerts said. "I feel good to play."
Bogaerts had a sore wrist for nearly a month before he missed the past four games. As he played through injury, Bogaerts' offense has taken a hit (though his defense has been impeccable). He has seen his OPS dip from .843 on May 7, when he said the wrist began bothering him, to .725.
June 9: OF David Dahl elects free agency
Without an obvious place on the roster for Dahl, the Padres designated him for assignment earlier this week. Dahl, who had a slash line of .265/.342/.382 in 76 plate appearances with Triple-A El Paso, cleared waivers on Friday and elected free agency.
INJURY UPDATES
10-day and 15-day IL
RHP Luis García (left oblique strain)
Expected return: June 10
García began to feel tightness after his May 24 outing, and he landed on the injured list on May 27. García has since thrown several bullpen sessions, and on June 7, he pitched a simulated inning against hitters at Petco Park. He is with the team in Denver and could return on June 10, manager Bob Melvin said. (Last updated: June 9)
RHP Seth Lugo (right calf strain)
Expected return: June
Lugo sustained the injury as he broke to cover first base on a ground ball in the second inning of his start on May 16. He has since resumed throwing regular bullpen sessions and faced hitters at the team's spring complex in Arizona on June 9. It remains unclear whether Lugo would require a rehab start. He had made a nice transition from the bullpen to a starting role early this season, but his innings had begun to pile up. So his current IL stint could help limit his workload in the long run. (Last updated: June 9)
DH Nelson Cruz (right hamstring strain)
Expected return: Mid-June
Cruz began a rehab stint with Triple-A El Paso on June 7, and he started strong -- homering in his first game with the Chihuahuas. The Padres are optimistic Cruz won't require much more than the 10-day stint on the IL. He's eligible to return June 11, but the upcoming homestand might be a more realistic target. Cruz, who has posted a .651 OPS in 36 games this season, sustained the injury while running down the first-base line during a game against the Marlins on May 31. (Last updated: June 9)
RHP Nabil Crismatt (left hip strain)
Expected return: Early June
Crismatt began a rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso on May 16, and he could be approaching a return to the Padres' bullpen. He rejoined the team at Petco Park on Monday, though it hasn't yet been determined if he'd need another rehab outing. While dealing with hip issues, Crismatt allowed 12 earned runs in 10 innings across his first six appearances this year before he landed on the IL on April 19. (Last updated: June 5)
60-day IL
RHP Robert Suarez (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: June or July
Suarez began playing catch on May 22, and he threw his first bullpen session on June 9. He's still likely facing a lengthy buildup before he returns to the Padres. Suarez has yet to pitch this season after he signed a five-year contract in November to remain in San Diego. He began experiencing inflammation during Spring Training, but further tests, including an MRI, revealed no structural damage in Suarez's elbow. (Last updated: June 9)
INF Eguy Rosario (left ankle fracture)
Expected return: Late June
Rosario, the Padres' No. 8 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, sustained the injury during winter ball workouts. He was placed the 60-day injured list on Feb. 16, but he began playing in extended Spring Training games in mid-May, and he began a rehab stint with Triple-A El Paso on June 6. (Last updated: June 6)
C Luis Campusano (left thumb sprain)
Expected return: July
Campusano underwent surgery to repair a ligament in his left thumb on May 12, and manager Bob Melvin noted a timetable of at least eight weeks before Campusano returns. That likely rules out the Padres' backstop until sometime around the All-Star break. Campusano, who was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 2, sustained the injury while catching a bullpen session in mid-April. The Padres were initially hopeful for a quick return, but Campusano continually aggravated the injury during catching drills. (Last updated: June 2)
LHP Drew Pomeranz (left flexor tendon surgery)
Expected return: Potentially August or September
Pomeranz, who missed the 2022 season following the procedure, underwent a "cleanup" surgery on his left elbow, manager Bob Melvin announced on May 24. That operation came after Pomeranz had experienced yet another setback during his rehab outing with Triple-A El Paso on April 25. There's not yet a set timetable for Pomeranz's return, but the team remains hopeful he can pitch meaningful innings down the stretch. When healthy, Pomeranz is a weapon, but he hasn't been able to avoid injury during the life of his four-year contract, pitching just 44 1/3 innings in that time -- all from 2020-21 -- with a 1.62 ERA. (Last updated: May 24)