Xander Bogaerts’ injury is worse than initially feared.
After the San Diego Padres first diagnosed their infielder with inflammation, they placed him on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday due to a fractured left shoulder socket. According to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the injury is expected to sideline Bogaerts for two to three months.
Bogaerts suffered the injury on Monday while diving for a ball against the Atlanta Braves. He was in immediate pain after making the play to second base and could not get up to throw the ball. He lay on the ground for several moments before getting up and leaving the game.
Preliminary X-rays showed no structural damage, and the Padres mentioned that he was experiencing daily inflammation. Per Acee, an MRI revealed the fracture on Wednesday. He would undergo a CT scan to clarify the severity of the fracture and determine if there was labral damage. For now, the Padres do not expect Bogaerts to require surgery, according to the report.
Bogaerts told Acee he heard “a few cracks” when he landed.
“I remember what I heard – like a couple of cracks,” Bogaerts said. “I didn’t feel anything coming out and then going back in. All I remember was hearing a few cracks.”
He also downplayed the 2-3 month timeline.
“Two to three months, no,” said Bogaerts. “No no. I understand we want to be smart, but I’ll be back early. I don’t like the sound of all those months.”
Bogaerts, 31, is in his second season with the Padres after signing an 11-year, $280 million contract in 2022. He joined the Padres after winning five Silver Sluggers and making four All-Star teams in 10 seasons with the Boston Red Sox.
He got off to a slow start this season after slashing .285/.350/.440 with 19 home runs, 58 RBI and 19 stolen bases in his first season in San Diego. In 47 games before his injury, Bogaerts slashed .219/.265./.316 with four home runs, 14 RBI and four stolen bases.
The Padres called up 11th-year veteran David Peralta to take Bogaerts’ place on the active roster. Peralta hit sixth in San Diego’s lineup in Wednesday’s 7-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds. With the win, the Padres improved to 26-26, 7.5 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.
