Story by
Padres dealt crushing Ramon Laureano injury blow
- Story by
- Padres dealt crushing Ramon Laureano injury blow
Padres dealt crushing Ramon Laureano injury blow appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Even when the San Diego Padres occupied first place in the National League West, fans were concerned about the team's offensive woes. That problem is no longer obscured by the Friars' winning ways. Craig Stammen 's squad has lost nine of its last 10 , scoring three or more runs just four times in that span. Right now, this group just needs someone with solid contact skills. Ramon Laureano has proven himself capable of doing that in past years, but unfortunately, he is likely done for 2026 .
Advertisement
Stammen revealed as much following the veteran outfielder's right hip surgery and labrum repair, per Foul Territory's Marty Caswell. Laureano last played on May 30 against the Washington Nationals .
The Padres acquired the 31-year-old Dominican and Ryan O'Hearn in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles last season, and the move paid immediate dividends. The results have been far less satisfying this year, however. Laureano owns a .203 batting average with seven home runs, a .374 slugging percentage and .660 OPS in 206 plate appearances. Despite those struggles, he boasts the skill set that could have helped San Diego in the long run.
Even if Manny Machado cracks the Mendoza Line and Fernando Tatis Jr. gets homer happy, this team will still need a hitter who can eke out a bloop single or a dribbler down the line. Though, with or without Ramon Laureano, the Padres require offensive reinforcements.
They will have to decipher their struggles in-house for now, however. San Diego (32-29) hopes to stop the bleeding in its upcoming six-game homestand, beginning with Friday night's face-off with the New York Mets (27-35).
Related: Manny Machado gets brutally honest on Padres slump
Related: Padres' Manny Machado reveals 'devastated' reaction to Nick Castellanos DFA
