SAN DIEGO — Xander Bogaerts is back, and the Padres†offense is just about whole again.
What a time to be getting healthy, too.
The Padres activated Bogaerts off the 10-day injured list after he missed four weeks with a fracture in his left foot. He was in the starting lineup at shortstop against the Brewers on Tuesday night at Petco Park.
“Iâ€m definitely happy to be able to come back a little bit sooner and be able to play in some big league games,†Bogaerts said. “To get a couple games in me before we head into the playoffs will be really nice.â€
Not to say that the Padres’ offense was whole on Tuesday. The day after they clinched their spot in the postseason with a dramatic 11-inning, walk-off victory, a handful of regulars were given the day off. Plus, Fernando Tatis Jr. remained sidelined by an illness that could keep him out Wednesday, as well.
But the point is this: Barring anything unforeseen, the Padres should have a whole offense come next week, when theyâ€ll open their National League Wild Card Series on Tuesday (most likely against the Cubs at Wrigley Field).
Bogaerts†return raises a handful of the usual good-problem-to-have lineup questions. Manager Mike Shildt has noted that Bogaerts will return to the full-time shortstop role, which pushes Jake Cronenworth back to second base and Luis Arraez either to first base or DH.
Presumably, the Padres would then choose between Gavin Sheets and Ryan Oâ€Hearn for a lineup spot — which leaves one of those two available to come off the bench in a big moment. Again, a good problem to have.
Bogaerts, meanwhile, would presumably slot into the No. 7 spot in the lineup when the Padres have their full contingent of hitters available. To combat the effects of the injury, heâ€s wearing both an insert in his shoe and, when he bats, a foot guard. Bogaerts sustained the injury on Aug. 27, when he fouled a ball off his left foot in Seattle.
Bogaerts had a .262/.330/.387 slash line with 10 homers and 20 steals at the time of the injury. Those numbers are well below his career averages, but he had begun to look much better in June, July and August after a very slow start. Heâ€s also been excellent defensively throughout the season, worth 7 Outs Above Average.
Itâ€s unclear exactly what Bogaerts†schedule might look like in the coming days. That could depend on how he feels day to day. But heâ€s confident that returning with five games remaining in the season gives him the right amount of runway to prepare for the playoffs.
“The most important thing is feeling good these couple days, and just keep the momentum going as a team,†Bogaerts said.
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