Profar's Knee Troubles
San Diego Padres left fielder Jurickson Profar is second in the big leagues in batting and holds the top spot in the National League for on-base percentage. However, his impressive performance has been hampered by a sore knee, a concern that has been lingering for some time.
The persistent injury led to Profar's early exit from Tuesday night's game against the Oakland Athletics. The situation worsened during the eighth inning when Profar swung at a pitch and, in visible pain, collapsed. Consequently, replacement hitter David Peralta stepped in but unfortunately only managed a fly out to center field.
Manager Mike Shildt commented on the situation, noting that the team has been effectively managing Profar's injury. “It's sore; it's something he's been battling and playing with a little bit,” Shildt said. “Tonight, it just was one of those nights that wasn't good for him.”
Tatis Jr.’s Streak and Padres' Resilience
Despite the setback with Profar, the Padres displayed remarkable resilience, highlighted by Fernando Tatis Jr., who extended his hitting streak to 17 games and achieved a 21-game on-base streak. The Padres clinched a 4-3 victory against the Athletics, bolstering their morale as they aim for their first sweep of the season on Wednesday.
Expressing optimism, Tatis Jr. emphasized the team's resilience. “Every win is huge,” Tatis Jr. stated. “Even losing Profar at the end and still being able to come back shows what resiliency we have. We feel like we are in every single game.”
However, the impact of Profar's injury on the team has not gone unnoticed. “It's concerning. It's huge. It's like losing our very backbone right now,” Tatis Jr. acknowledged, underscoring the importance of Profar’s role on the team. Nevertheless, the hope for his swift return remains strong. “Hopefully, our boy can be back tomorrow,” he added.
Managing Profar’s Condition
The Padres' medical team has taken a proactive approach to treat Profar's condition. Manager Shildt assured that they have a good understanding of the injury and are focused on managing and monitoring Profar’s activities, particularly on the bases. “It's something he's dealt with, and medically we have a handle on,” Shildt explained. “I think we've got a pretty good idea of what this is and we've been able to treat it and get ahead of it.”
According to Shildt, the team has identified that the primary exacerbation of Profar’s knee issues likely stems from his activity on the bases. "Probably being too much on the bases, that's what we have been talking about,” he mentioned.
Looking Ahead
The Padres continue to exhibit an undeterred attitude, despite the setback presented by Profar’s injury. Profar's health remains a priority for the team, and they are optimistic that he will make a full and swift recovery.
Management of injuries and maintaining player health will be crucial for the Padres as they push through the remainder of the season. Padres' fans have much to be optimistic about, given the team's resilience and determination. As Shildt noted, “It's baseball, and injuries are always part of it.”