The injury list continues to grow for the Padres. Skipper Andy Green confirmed pitcher Robbie Erlin underwent Tommy John surgery Tuesday morning and says everything went well. Right now there are eight Padres starters on the disabled list. It's been a tough schedule for the Padres, especially on the road, but players like Cesar Vargas, Travis Jankowski and Brett Wallace have been clutch over the last few weeks.
"I think these guys fight hard. I don't think you can question that at all,” says Padres Manager Andy Green. “Everybody out here goes out there every night with the expectation to win a baseball game. It doesn't matter who we're playing or who's out on the field for us. I believe we have enough out there to win a baseball game."
Stepping Up to the Plate
The Padres have won or split each of their last five series; many of those wins coming with strong performances from guys like Brett Wallace who was typically an off the bench player.
“I think it says a lot about who Brett Wallace has been,” says Green. “All of a sudden he’s hitting fourth in the middle of the order and doing a great job.”
Another stand out, especially over the last few road games has been outfielder Travis Jankowski. The Padres rookie has had some impressive catches this season. Offensively Jankowski is taking every at-bat seriously saying, "With the role I'm in you kind of have to seize those opportunities and just make the most of them, so I've been working hard for this and just have to go out there to do my best to compete and go out there and play well."
Jankowski was in the ninth slot in the batting order Tuesday night against the San Francisco Giants. Taking the leadoff spot in that game was Wil Myers. Jon Jay was out of the lineup with a sore shoulder. Green says Jay doesn’t have full range of motion and is feeling some stiffness after diving on a ball in left center field in Milwaukee during Friday night’s game. Jay had treatment the last few days but was not ready to play Tuesday night. He has not been place on the disabled list.
Local
Injury Update
Last week pitcher Andrew Cashner was placed on the disabled list due to pain in his hamstring. Opening day starting pitcher Tyson Ross was in the clubhouse Tuesday afternoon but is still in the strength and conditioning phase of his treatment for his shoulder.
According to Andy Green, Jemile Weeks is still weeks away from another evaluation for his hamstring injury and Corey Spangenberg is back to the rehabilitation portion of treatment on his quad strain due to some swelling.
Utility player Alexi Amarista seems to be doing better. Green reports Amarista was set to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A San Antonio Tuesday night and would be playing nine innings. Third baseman Yangervis Solarte is also rehabbing in Double A and played seven innings recently.
