Padres News: Wil Myers Injured Wrist and the Repercussions
When news broke that Wil Myers was scratched from the lineup on Tuesday night with a sore wrist, immediately Twitterverse went crazy with suicidal San Diego Padres fans. Myers supposedly aggravated the left wrist during batting practice and was just too sore to make the start at first base. The injury had been troubling the young slugger since he slid into third base on Sunday and jammed the wrist.
The sore wrist is definitely a thing of concern, but no immediate injury was announced by the Padres. Troubling still that Myers had a day off yesterday, but still the wrist is sore today. His right wrist (the other one) was the one that was surgically repaired last season when he fractured it in May. So that is a relief to Padres fans, but yet Myers injury is still troubling to a team that is struggling to find its identity. Myers leads the major leagues with 28 runs scored and his .291 batting average and five home runs have been huge for the Padres this season.
Myers has really endeared himself to most Padres fans with his easy-going personality and hustle on the field. The fans were already aware of his ability being a former rookie of the year, but he has truly impressed most fans. The fact he has embraced batting lead-off and excelled speaks volumes to Myers nature. The kid is coach-able, and at his young age, that is the best thing for his development.
Positioning Myers has been a project as he initially started out as the teams starting center fielder, but has recently played exclusively at first base since Yonder Alonso‘s injury. Myers has looked really comfortable at first base and that very well could be in his future. I wrote about that here. Check it out.
During the game Tuesday night, Myers was spotted in the dugout talking to Austin Hedges and Glenn Hoffman. He reportedly wasn’t favoring the wrist in any way, so it seems as though nothing major is wrong with him. Reports even indicate he could be in the line-up tomorrow. That remains to be seen, and the Padres are sure to take it slowly with their 24-year old slugger.
If Myers is to be out an extended period of time the team might call up Bret Wallace, Cody Decker, Tommy Medica or Alex Dickerson from AAA El Paso. Each is capable of playing first base, but perhaps it too early to discuss their possible call up. Of the three, Wallace has major league experience and is hitting .303 in AAA with three homers and 17 RBI’s. Wallace has been playing third base for the Chihuahuas, but could easily transition back to first base.
Cody Decker is fresh off his PCL Player of the week award and is hitting .262 with six homers and 21 RBI’s. Medica is a familiar face to Padres fans and is off to a .277 start with El Paso. He has hit one home run and has driven in 12 runs in 30 games for the team. Dickerson is a local product from Poway high school. He is hitting .322 on the season with three home runs and 19 RBI’s. All four are capable of helping the Padres. Dickerson and Wallace are left-handed while Decker and Medica are right handed hitters. Hopefully it doesn’t get to that point with Myers injury.
Bud Black after the game declined to comment any further on Myers injury. He was in a foul mood after the team was demolished by the Mariners 11-4. The Padres pitching staff gave up six home runs on the night at Safeco Field. Ian Kennedy, Shawn Kelley and Frank Garces were all roughed up on the night. The team hopes to regroup on Wednesday when James Shields takes the mound against Taijuan Walker and the Mariners.
More news about Myers should be available in the late morning or early after noon. I will update this post once a clear time-table of his return is determined. In the mean time the Padres will have to regroup and focus on splitting the series against the Mariners. Keep your fingers crossed Padres fans as Myers is a vital part of the team and his loss for an extended period of time would be of great cost to the team.
*** Injury Update- Wil Myers flew back to San Diego today to see the teams hand and wrist specialist. Not the best of news, hopefully nothing major has happened to the 24 year old slugger. More news to follow in the next few days from EVT news department.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.