Padres embark on wild-card journey without Laureano as Sheets steps into left field
The San Diego Padres closed out their regular season in style on Sunday, overpowering the Arizona Diamondbacks with a decisive 12-4 victory. However, the outcome held little weight, as the team’s playoff position had already been secured. With the National League wild-card series set to kick off on Tuesday, September 30, against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, manager Mike Shildt faces a significant challenge: navigating October without outfielder Ramón Laureano.
Laureano’s Injury Puts a Damper on Playoff Hopes
Laureano, who recently fractured a finger, was initially expected to miss the wild-card round but might have been able to return later in the postseason. Unfortunately, during a candid conversation on Sunday, he confirmed that this would not be the case. According to MLB insider Jeff Sanders, Laureano shared that his finger will remain in a splint for approximately three weeks. When asked about the potential for a return, he characterized his hopes as nothing more than “delusional hope.”
This injury is a significant setback for the Padres, particularly given Laureano’s stellar performance this season. Acquired from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline, along with Ryan O’Hearn, he quickly became a key player for the team. In 132 games this year, Laureano recorded a 3.7 WAR, belted 24 home runs, maintained a .281 batting average, and achieved a career-high 76 RBIs. His absence will undoubtedly be felt as San Diego prepares for the postseason.
Sheets Steps Up in the Outfield
In light of Laureano’s injury, the Padres will turn to Gavin Sheets to fill the void in left field. While primarily utilized as a designated hitter this season, Sheets has also made 76 defensive appearances at both left field and first base, alongside 64 games at DH. In contrast, Laureano played 48 of his 50 games with the Padres in the outfield, underscoring the shift in dynamics for the team.
Shildt will be counting on Sheets to bring his power to the lineup, and it is likely that he will also rotate the designated hitter position to keep the offense dynamic. Bryce Johnson remains on the roster as the fourth outfielder and is expected to serve as a defensive replacement in late-game situations, adding another layer of strategy to the Padres’ postseason approach.
As the Padres gear up for their wild-card battle against the Cubs, the stakes are high. The loss of Laureano is a tough blow, but San Diego’s depth and resilience will be tested as they aim for success in October.
