San Diego Padres Injury Update
Credit: AP Photo
With the month of May officially in the books, the San Diego Padres enter into June with a 22-33 record, tied with the San Francisco Giants for last place in the N.L. West.
Few could have predicted the Padres’ company down in the cellar at this point in the season, but nonetheless, it’s true. At least it’s something of a concession for Padres fans during the “tank” year.
While the Padres have indeed been taking their lumps (as the record shows), the team has certainly showcased some things for fans to get excited about. The youth movement is looking good. Manuel Margot has started the season strong and Hunter Renfroe is improving by the day. Allen Cordoba has been a pleasant surprise at the plate, and in the field, while making the huge leap from high-A ball to MLB.
Luis Perdomo has seen a few valleys this season, but has also had his peaks. Dinelson Lamet’s early showing has been quite impressive as he sits at a 2-0 record after facing the New York Mets and the Chicago Cubs in his first two appearances. Franchy Cordero, who was called up to replace an injured Margot, hit a triple and scored the game-winning run in the series finale against the Cubs on Wednesday afternoon.
These are just a few of the standout performances that the Padres have produced so far, and with the waves of talent coming up through the system, this should become a regular experience.
A lot of the opportunities afforded to the youngsters so far have come in response to injuries, as they often do. There are a handful of players who are on the disabled list, and some of you may be wondering about the progress of their recoveries. Have no fear; here comes an update with the latest information about each player:
Cahill was arguably the team’s best starter with a 3.41 ERA and 51 strikeouts over seven games before hitting the 10-day DL with a shoulder strain on May 17. On May 21, he experienced a setback with tightness in his right shoulder while attempting to play catch from 75 feet. He went in for an MRI on his shoulder and on May 23 it was announced that the test showed no structural damage. He is slated to be out until mid to late June. The Padres have been on a steady win streak as of late. Things should only improve once they get Cahill back on the mound. If he produces similarly after his return, he could be one the Padres’ top trade chips at the deadline.
Capps is in the later stages of recovery from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in March 2016. He began the season with a minor league rehab assignment at Triple-A El Paso, but was pulled and sent to extended spring training on May 18, after dealing with command issues. On May 21, he was moved from the 10-day DL to the 60-day to clear a 40-man roster spot for Chase d’Arnaud. On May 31, he threw to live hitters in Arizona. Andy Green reported that the workout drew “mixed reviews.” It’s apparent that he still has some work to do and is out indefinitely. It looks like there is no timetable for his return at the moment. He may come in handy for the Padres later in the season if they decide to trade any back-end relievers at the deadline. Some predict Capps to be the team’s future closer if he is able to come back healthy, or doesn’t end up part of a trade himself.
Dickerson was placed on the 10-day DL back on April 2, during spring training, with a bulging disc in his back. He was moved from the 10-day to the 60-day DL on April 7, to open up space on the 40-man roster for Jabari Blash. On April 27, it was reported that he had been making progress in recent weeks, doing cardio and light weightlifting and was cleared to begin baseball activities within a week. On May 20, he was cleared to resume running. He is progressing well and his expected timetable for return is mid-June. When Dickerson comes back, the team should get a nice infusion of power from the left side. He’s another youngster that fans have been anxious to watch make progress on the field.
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Baseball is the second most beautiful art form in my opinion. The first is what God does with our San Diego sunsets. Football’s pretty exquisite too. I’m Sarah’s husband and a Cal alum. I have been a Padres fan since childhood. My first experiences were at the Q watching Tony and the crew in the 90’s. I love sports and I love San Diego. I hope you enjoy my thoughts!