Padres’ fans received both good news and bad on Friday.
Unfortunately for San Diego, shortstop Xander Bogaerts was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left foot non-displaced fracture. But there was also an encouraging update on injured star Jackson Merrill from San Diego Union-Tribune writer Kevin Acee.
“Jackson Merrill is in Arizona getting live ABs,” he wrote on X. “Looks like return next week vs. Orioles if all goes well.”
Padres’ injury woes
Merrill suffered a left ankle sprain against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 17, and he was placed on the 10-day IL retroactive to Aug. 20.
After an All-Star campaign during his rookie year in 2024, the Padres center fielder is slashing .261/.317/.413 with nine home runs and 51 RBI over 91 games this season.
Merrill has been placed on the IL two other times this year–on April 8 with a right hamstring strain and May 6 with a concussion, according to his transaction tracker.
Bogaerts’ injury is the latest blow to a Padres team fighting for their first division title in 19 years. Two games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, San Diego could be receiving another reinforcement soon.
Starting pitcher Michael King threw a simulated game on Friday against minor leaguers, tossing 4.0 innings on 60 pitches per Acee. He’s also likely to return next week vs. the Orioles.
San Diego starters have recently struggled to throw deep into games, relying on its stellar bullpen to win. King has a 2.81 ERA over 11 starts this season, and he’s averaging 5.2 innings a start.
The Padres will need to be at full power if they hope to make a postseason run.
