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Padres have an update on shortstop Xander Bogaerts following Mets game
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- Padres have an update on shortstop Xander Bogaerts following Mets game
The San Diego Padres, after a midseason slide, have rebounded late in the summer. They now sit at 68-60, second place in the National League West and in possession of the third NL Wild Card spot.
They have just wrapped up a three-game series at the New York Mets, sadly losing the series in the rubber match Wednesday 4-2. Offense was an issue in the series, as the other loss came on Monday 2-1.
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In the top of the seventh inning Wednesday, shortstop Xander Bogaerts potentially injured his hamstring on a swinging strikeout. Manager Craig Stammen said postgame that Bogaerts was just cramping due to the heat (via 97.3 The Fan).
Bogaerts this season
The 33-year-old has played in 121 games, slashing .220/.320/.329 (.649 OPS) with 11 home runs and 46 RBIs. He has been hitting more towards the bottom of the order for the last few weeks.
Though Bogaerts has slowed down considerably with the bat, he still offers good defense at a premium shortstop position. He has posted four outs above average and four fielding run value this season.
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He has played in almost 95% of San Diego's games in 2026 after dealing with some injuries the past couple seasons. Even with the down hitting numbers, Bogaerts is still a valuable piece in the lineup at 33.
MORE: Breakout utility man Blaze Alexander announces return timeline during Yankees-Orioles series
Injury impact and contract
MLB: San Diego Padres at Cleveland Guardians
Aug 14, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) throws to first base in the second inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
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The shortstop is in year four of an 11-year, $280 million contract that he signed before the 2023 season. Safe to say, he has not lived up to it so far and is only getting older. The Padres will be responsible for the money through 2033.
For Wednesday's game, Sun-Mung Song got the nod to replace Bogaerts at shortstop. If his absence is a multi-day thing, it would likely be Song to get the reps there.
The 29-year-old came over from the KBO this offseason. He spent the first portion of the year at Triple-A. Since his call-up, he has played in 62 games, slashing .202/.305/.263 (.568 OPS) with one home run and 15 RBIs.
Song is 12-for-16 on stolen bases, and does provide a good glove at several positions. He has played second base, third base and shortstop this season.
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