PHOENIX -- Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts is expected back in the lineup on Wednesday after he fouled a ball off his left foot during San Diego’s 9-4 victory on Tuesday night in Arizona.
Bogaerts completed his seventh-inning plate appearance, working a walk. But he was subsequently lifted for pinch-runner Sung-Mun Song, who also replaced him at shortstop.
X-rays on Bogaerts’ foot came back negative, according to manager Craig Stammen, and Bogaerts is expected to return for Game 3 of a crucial series between these two NL West rivals, who are vying for the final Wild Card spot.
“Xander’s good,” Stammen said. “He just came out as a precaution, was hit on a similar spot as last year. But X-rays were negative, and he’s ready to play tomorrow.”
Last August, Bogaerts sustained a fracture in his left foot and would miss four weeks near the end of the year.
Bogaerts has struggled for most of this season, hitting .225 with a .645 OPS. But he was 7-for-20 (.350) across his last six games and was 2-for-3 with that walk on Tuesday prior to his exit.
“It’s been getting better, seeing the ball better,” said Bogaerts, who is reaching at a .333 clip in the second half. “Whenever you’re getting walks, it’s always a good sign you’re seeing it well.”