Padres' star Xander Bogaerts placed on IL with fractured left shoulder
San Diego Padres second baseman Xander Bogaerts (2) kneels after injury fielding a ball hit by Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. in the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, May 20, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
CINCINNATI (AP) — San Diego Padres All-Star second baseman Xander Bogaerts broke his left shoulder attempting a diving pickup and was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.
“I'm not a big timetable guy,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “Obviously he'll be on the sidelines for a period of time. It's really impossible to say how long. We're still gathering information.”
Bogaerts injured his shoulder while diving for a ground ball in the first game of a doubleheader Monday against the Braves. Bogaerts was escorted off the field after being evaluated by training staff.
“Soon as I caught the ball, I heard a crack,” Bogaerts said. “In the end, that’s what it was. A crack. I pray one (month of recovery). Depends on how quick it heals. I’ll do everything possible.”
San Diego Padres second baseman Xander Bogaerts (2) kneels after injury fielding a ball hit by Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. in the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, May 20, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Initial imaging of Bogaerts' shoulder came back negative, but the fracture was revealed when further tests were done on Wednesday.
“Not as good (of news) as we clearly would have hoped, especially after the initial imaging,” Shildt said.
Bogaerts, who was placed on the IL retroactive to May 21, is hitting .219 with four homers and 14 RBIs.
In related roster moves, the Padres selected the contract of outfielder David Peralta and transferred right-handed pitcher Luis Patiño to the 60-day IL.
“Obviously Xander is a big part of this team," Padres third baseman Manny Machado said. "It’s going to be tough. He’s a guy who’s kind of irreplaceable. We’re going to have to pick up everybody. We’ve been doing it all year.”
San Diego Padres second baseman Xander Bogaerts (2) kneels after injury fielding a ball hit by Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. in the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, May 20, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Luis Arraez started at second base for the second straight game on Wednesday, and went 4 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs in a 7-3 win over the Reds.
Shildt said he will get creative in terms of replacing Bogaerts moving forward.
“The good news is, we have options between three or four different guys,” Shildt said. “We're still in the process of figuring things out.”
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Jeff Wallner, The Associated Press