UPDATE: San Diego Padres outfielder Ramon Laureano has suffered a broken right index finger and will miss the first round of the playoffs, manager Mike Shildt confirmed. The injury occurred during Wednesday’s 3-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, when Laureano shook his hand after fouling off a pitch in the second inning.
Laureano’s injury is a significant blow for the Padres, who recently clinched a postseason berth. He was replaced in right field by Bryce Johnson in the top of the third inning after taking a called third strike to end a nine-pitch at-bat. This season, the outfielder has been instrumental for the Padres, contributing nine homers and driving in 30 runs since being acquired from Baltimore on July 31, 2023.
The Padres are facing an uphill battle, as they are also without star right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. for the third consecutive game due to an undisclosed illness, which has reportedly included symptoms like nausea, chills, and fever. The absence of both players raises concerns about the team’s depth as they prepare for the playoffs.
In the lead-up to the postseason, the Padres secured their playoff spot with a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Brewers on Monday night, extending the game into the 11th inning. They followed that with a decisive 7-0 win on Tuesday, closing in on the Chicago Cubs in the race for the National League’s first wild-card spot and the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL West lead.
With the playoffs approaching, the Padres must quickly adjust their strategy to compensate for Laureano’s absence. Fans will be eager to see how the team responds and which players step up in this critical moment.
Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops. The Padres’ playoff journey is about to begin, and every game counts.