Austin Nola Leaves Game After Being Hit By Pitch In The Face
Padres catcher Austin Nola suffered a scary injury during today’s Cactus League game, as he was hit in the face by an errant Michael Fulmer pitch. Nola was carted off the field, though he was able to get up under his own power. Padres manager Bob Melvin suggested to reporters (including Jeff Sanders of the…
Mar 19 · MLB Trade Rumors Padres Luis Campusano Austin Nola Pedro Severino Brett SullivanAdrian Morejon Avoids Serious Injury
San Diego Padres pitcher Adrian Morejon (elbow) was pulled out early during Sunday's game due to elbow discomfort. Luckily, the MRI came back clean, so it appears Morejon isn't dealing with anything too serious. The team is going to treat him for inflammation and create a timetable for him to resume throwing again. There's a decent chance that Morejon opens the season on the injured list. However, it doesn't sound like a long term issue, so the team got lucky there.
Mar 17 · Source via
Xander Bogaerts Rakes For Netherlands Wednesday
San Diego Padres and Team Netherlands shortstopXander Bogaertsenjoyed a big day on Wednesday in a 3-1 victory over Panama at the World Baseball Classic. Bogaerts went 3-for-4 with a home run while showing off some stellar work with the glove and scoring a key insurance run in the eighth inning. For the tournament, the former Red Sox shortstop is hitting .267 with a double in addition to the aforementioned long ball alongside a .886 OPS across 15 at-bats. The 30-year-old struggled in spring training before departing for the World Baseball Classic, hitting just .154 with a .368 OPS across 13 Grapefruit League at-bats. Bogaerts signed an 11-year megadeal with the Padres this winter after hitting .307 with 11 HR, eight stolen bases, and a .833 OPS with the Red Sox in 2022.
Mar 16 · Source via
Yu Darvish May Not Make Opening Day Start
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish's two-inning relief outing for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic on Wednesday night may throw off his schedule to open the 2023 regular season, according to manager Bob Melvin. Depending on when Darvish pitches next, it could move him off the Opening Day start, or it might see him make his first start less than fully built up innings-wise. The 36-year-old right-hander has only thrown five innings in the WBC for Japan, so the Padres are worried that he won't be fully built up to begin the regular season. This shouldn't really change Darvish's fantasy value, but it could mean that he'll have less of a chance to go deep into his starts early in the season for DFS purposes.
Mar 16 · Source via
Cole Hamels Hoping To Return Midseason
After dealing with various injuries over the past few seasons, San Diego Padres left-handerCole Hamels(shoulder) hopes to make a comeback. Most notably, Hamels underwent shoulder surgery and recently repaired a torn meniscus and pinched nerve in his foot. He has been completely plagued by injuries but has turned some heads in spring training. Hamels threw a handful of bullpen sessions, and the Padres are already impressed by his body language and the quality of each session. He hopes to return by midseason and could be an under-the-radar bullpen option if injuries deplete San Diego's pitching depth. The 38-year-old last pitched an entire season with the Chicago Cubs, where he posted a 3.81 ERA with 143 strikeouts across 27 starts.
Mar 15 · Source via
Manny Machado Homers For Dominican Republic Monday
San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado played his part offensively Monday in Team Dominican Republic's 6-1 World Baseball Classic win over Team Nicaragua. Machado went 2-for-5 with a double and a solo home run, his first of the spring. The 30-year-old had an outstanding 2022 season, slashing .298/.366/.531 with 32 HR, 102 RBI, and nine stolen bases. He is currently being drafted at about pick 14 overall, making him the third baseman drafted. The position is quite top-heavy and shallow overall, so Machado should be able to provide ample fantasy value once again in 2023.
Mar 14 · Source via
Juan Soto Hits Leadoff, Homers In World Baseball Classic Monday
San Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto gave Team Dominican Republic the spark it needed in Monday's 6-1 World Baseball Classic win over Team Nicaragua. Batting leadoff, Soto went 2-for-4 with a single, a solo home run, a walk, and a strikeout. The 24-year-old has gotten off to an encouraging start this spring after having a disappointing 2022 season, batting .727 in 11 Cactus League at-bats before joining Team Dominican Republic for the WBC. While he likely won't hit leadoff for the Padres, Soto should once again be a top fantasy pick and will hopefully experience some positive regression.
Mar 14 · Source via
Adrián Morejón To Undergo MRI After Experiencing Arm Discomfort
Padres left-hander Adrián Morejón will undergo an MRI this week, reports AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. The lefty had departed yesterday’s game with discomfort above his elbow. Until that MRI takes place and a diagnosis is reached, it won’t be known if Morejón needs to miss time or how much. For now, it’s a concerning development…
Mar 13 · MLB Trade Rumors Padres Adrian MorejonFernando Tatis Jr. Serving As DH Monday
San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (knee) is batting third and serving as the designated hitter in Monday's Cactus League game against the San Francisco Giants and left-hander Sean Manaea. Tatis was scratched from Sunday's lineup with a left knee bruise, but obviously it's not a very serious injury. The 24-year-old superstar will be suspended for the first 20 games of the 2023 season, but he's getting his work in at camp. Tatis has struggled with his timing so far in Cactus League games, going just 2-for-19, but that shouldn't worry fantasy managers too much. He has plenty of time to get his timing at the plate back. Barring more injuries this year, the sky is the limit for Tatis, and he'll be adding outfield eligibility as well.
Mar 13 · Source via
Craig Stammen "Highly Unlikely" To Pitch Again Following Shoulder Injury
Padres reliever Craig Stammen suffered a torn capsule in his right shoulder and strained sub scapula Friday, as reported by the San Diego Union Tribune’s Kevin Acee. Stammen, who just celebrated his 39th birthday, acknowledged that his “playing days are probably over,” though it seems Stammen and the club have not decided whether or not…
Mar 13 · MLB Trade Rumors Padres Craig Stammen closersFernando Tatis Jr. Expected To Play On Monday
San Diego Padres infielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (knee) was a late scratch from Sunday's lineup. However, manager Bob Melvin expects Tatis to return to Cactus League action on Monday. The right-hander slugger is reportedly dealing with a left knee contusion. He suffered the injury when he was hit in the knee on a pickoff throw during Saturday's game. It sounds like this is only a minor injury and Tatis is going to be fine going forward. Fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief as Tatis should return within the next few days.
Mar 12 · Source via
Adrian Morejon Removed From Sunday's Contest
San Diego Padres pitcher Adrian Morejon (elbow) was forced to exit early during Sunday's Cactus League matchup against the Oakland Athletics. The left-hander exited the game due to discomfort in his elbow on his pitching arm. That certainly sounds concerning, but nobody should jump to conclusions. The Padres are likely going to have Morejon undergo further testing. Although, it wouldn't be shocking if the 24-year-old began the 2023 season on the injured list. Fantasy managers will have to check back for more information.
Mar 12 · Source via
Adrian Morejon Leaves With Arm Discomfort
San Diego Padres southpawAdrian Morejon(arm) exited Sunday's game against the Oakland A's with arm discomfort. Manager Bob Melvin added that the pain ranges from the back of his arm to above his elbow. The Padres hope it is nothing serious and he can return soon. The 24-year-old-year-old is expecting to receive a heavy workload this coming season, and the Padres are looking to expand his versatility. Morejon composed a 4.24 ERA with 28 strikeouts across 34 innings. He missed a chunk of time due to a plethora of injuries, and the injury bug hasn't left him since turning pro in 2019. If he can stay healthy, Morejon is a threat in almost any situation and hopes to make his return as soon as possible.
Mar 12 · Source via
Joe Musgrove Throws Off Mound Saturday
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (toe) threw off a mound on Saturday just 12 days after fracturing his left big toe in a weight-room accident. Musgrove was looking good and appears to be ahead of schedule, but the Padres will still probably take it slow with him. The 30-year-old right-hander is targeting a season debut on April 6 against the Atlanta Braves, so Musgrove shouldn't miss much time early on in 2023. Musgrove has been strong for the Friars and fantasy managers the last two seasons and is looking to carry it into 2023. He's not a fantasy ace, but he's a solid SP2/3 target in fantasy drafts with one of the best lineups in baseball backing him in San Diego.
Mar 11 · Source via
Craig Stammen Removed From Friday's Game
San Diego Padres pitcher Craig Stammen (shoulder) was removed early during Friday's Cactus League contest. The veteran right-hander was forced to exit early due to discomfort in his pitching shoulder. This is not good news considering Stammen missed a majority of the second half of the 2022 campaign due to shoulder issues. It's likely that the organization has Stammen undergo further testing. However, there's a good chance that Stammen does require a trip to the injured list. Fantasy managers will have to check back for another update on his status.
Mar 10 · Source via
Fernando Tatis Jr. Off To Slow Start In Spring
San Diego Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. is feeling out of sync in the early going of spring training. Tatis is coming off surgeries on his wrist and shoulder, which could be the cause of his struggles. Due to his PED suspension, he isn't eligible to return until April 20. The 24-year-old has played in four spring training games and has yet to reach base via a hit. Padres manager Bob Melvin said, "Look it's been a while....It's just about getting him time on a baseball field, and it's all going to settle in nicely." The Padres will take it slow with Tatis and aren't in any rush to prepare him for the season. The Dominican had a disastrous 2022 season, in which he didn't set foot on the diamond at all. With the signing of shortstop Xander Bogaerts, Tatis will likely shift to the outfield, where he has some quality playing experience. In 2021, he slashed .282/.364/.611 with a 166 OPS+ and 42 home runs.
Mar 8 · Source via
Joe Musgrove Throws Off Flat Ground Wednesday
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (toe) threw off flat ground in camp on Wednesday for the first time since breaking his left big toe in the weight room recently. He's not landing on his left foot yet and is keeping both feet on the ground when he throws, but he's still putting weight on his left big toe and said everything has felt normal. The 30-year-old right-hander is doing everything he can to speed his recovery, including using a hyperbaric chamber, but the expectation is that he's going to miss a start or two to open the 2023 regular season. Even with the toe injury, Musgrove should still be considered by fantasy managers to be a top-30 fantasy starter for the Padres.
Mar 8 · Source via
Juan Soto To Play In B Game Thursday
San Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto (calf) is scheduled to appear in a B game on Thursday, according to manager Bob Melvin. If all goes well, Soto could join Team Dominican Republic for the 2023 World Baseball Classic ahead of their first game against Team Venezuela on Saturday. The 24-year-old left-handed slugger is 100 percent healthy after dealing with left calf tightness last week in camp. Barring setbacks at the WBC, Soto should be ready to rock for Opening Day later this month. More was expected of him at the plate in 2022, but he looked more like his normal self in the postseason and should be able to bounce back in his first full season in San Diego.
Mar 8 · Source via
Juan Soto Says He's 100 Percent Healthy
San Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto (calf) ran on Tuesday morning to test his injured calf and said that he is 100 percent healthy. "They don't want to take any risk," Soto said. If things continue to go well, the expectation is that Soto will join Team Dominican Republic in Florida by Friday for the World Baseball Classic. The Dominican's first game in the tournament is this Saturday. The 24-year-old left-handed slugger has been slowed by left calf tightness in spring training in the last week, but it's a very minor injury. Barring a setback during the WBC, Soto should be fully healthy for Opening Day and will be a fine bounce-back candidate in fantasy leagues in the late first round of drafts.
Mar 7 · Source via
Robert Suarez Drops Out Of World Baseball Classic
San Diego Padres relief pitcher Robert Suarez has decided not to compete in this year's World Baseball Classic for Team Venezuela. "Just to be around the team and get my training in and get ready for the start of the season," said Suarez. "The goal is always to have a better season." The 32-year-old signed a five-year, $46 million deal to remain in San Diego after he declined his $5 million option for 2023. Suarez was dominant in the late innings out of the bullpen for the Friars in his first big-league season, posting a 2.27 ERA (3.22 FIP), 1.05 WHIP, one save and 61 strikeouts in 47 2/3 relief innings. He'll enter the 2023 season as the team's primary setup man, and he could eventually become the Padres' closer if Josh Hader is traded.
Mar 7 · Source via
Joe Musgrove Using Hyperbaric Chamber To Heal
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (toe) has been using a hyperbaric chamber in hopes that he can get back on a mound sooner than anyone expects after recently breaking his left big toe in a weight-room accident. He's also adhering to a diet that is full of iron and potassium and low on salt. Musgrove's goal is to rejoin the team out of camp, but he knows he'll likely have to miss a start or two. "I'm optimistic. I think this thing's gonna be good in two weeks, and then I'm gonna suck it up for a couple of days and get through some (expletive) discomfort and find a way to manage it," Musgrove said. The good news is that he won't need surgery, but he'll need to make sure he doesn't return too soon or alter his mechanics.
Mar 7 · Source via
Juan Soto Expected To Be Fine For World Baseball Classic
San Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto (calf) is expected to be fine and able to play in this year's World Baseball Classic for Team Dominican Republic. Soto has dealt with some minor left calf tightness recently in spring training, but he has returned to the Cactus League lineup and is expected to report for the WBC this Friday. In his four spring games, the 24-year-old has gone 8-for-11 with a home run and seven RBI, so he's off to a great start. Fantasy managers shouldn't be concerned about his injury and should be looking forward to what should be a bounce-back campaign in his first full season with the Friars. Soto is a borderline first-round pick in fantasy drafts.
Mar 6 · Source via