San Diego Padres second baseman Xander Bogaerts will be out of action indefinitely due to a left shoulder fracture. He acquired the injury while diving for a ground ball during their game against the Atlanta Braves.
While his injury won't require surgery, it might take multiple months before he fully recovers. However, he underwent a CT scan to assess the injury's full extent. As a precautionary measure, the Padres initially placed him on the 10-day injured list while activating outfielder David Peralta.
Xander Bogaerts injury UPDATE
— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) May 22, 2024
X suffered a fracture in his left shoulder.
That's the bad news.
The good news is that he didn't tear his labrum, and he doesn't need surgery, per @sdutKevinAcee
When he dove, the labrum/ligament was stronger than the bone, and the force… https://t.co/ZaFnLzYSZm pic.twitter.com/5VrqKHdRVx
Though Bogaerts won't see action for several months, the injury could be a necessary reset from his recent struggles. He has struggled in the second season of his 11-year, $280 million contract with San Diego, hitting .219/.265/.316 in 187 at-bats through 47 games.
Those numbers are way below his .285/.350/.440 averages last year. While he had a recent six-game hitting streak, Bogaerts went 8-for-24. Such numbers do not indicate a player who won five Silver Slugger Awards and earned four All-Star appearances. In addition to Bogaerts, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. are struggling after dealing with injuries.
Worse yet, he was transferred to second base due to the defensively superior Ha-Seong Kim. Bogaerts' injury leaves the Padres without a reliable second baseman. Luis Arraez is getting some playing time, but he has inferior fielding skills than Bogaerts.
San Diego wouldn't want Kim or Jake Cronenworth to switch positions because they've done well defensively this season. Instead, the Padres can try Donovan Solano and Tyler Wade at second base.
-Lance Fernandez