Joseph Filler

ESPN SoCal

8-29-23

Aug 25, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish (11) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports

Just when things couldn't go worse for the San Diego Padres, from losing 1B Jake Cronenworth to a fractured wrist to being swept by the Milwaukee Brewers in their last series, more bad news is hurting the team. 

RHP Yu Darvish was put on the 15 Day IL List with elbow inflammation in his throwing arm. 

The team is unsure of how long Darvish will be out of their lineup. 

In an interview on his injury, Darvish claimed he hoped to return for the Padres again this season.

“I’m not thinking I’m done for the year,” Darvish said through his interpreter Shingo Horie. “My intention is to come back and pitch again this season.”

“I feel bad obviously,” Darvish said. “My responsibility here is to pitch for the team and to contribute to the team’s winning. So it is disappointing.”

Darvish has had an underwhelming 2023 season. With an 8-10 record, 4.56 ERA and a 1.3 WHIP through 136.3 innings pitched this year, his numbers are dissapointing compared to his 2022 campaigned, where he had a 16-8 record, 3.10 ERA, and a 0.95 WHIP through 194.7 innings pitched.

The 2023 season is far from what the Padres had wanted. They agressively tried to build in the offseason, where they had just come off a 2022 Season that saw them reach the NLCS, unfortunately losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in 5 games. 

In addition to their most successful season since 1998 and spending to continue that success, Darvish earned himself a six-year, $108M extension that runs through 2028, which will be his age-41 season.

However, the Padres' pitching depth has taken a big hit for the worst. In addition to Darvish's injury, teammate and fellow pitcher Joe Musgrove was put on the IL indefinitely earlier this month due to severe shoulder inflammation. Musgrove is not expected to return for the 2023 season. 

They will look forward to working with what they have in a rotation consisting of Blake Snell, Seth Lugo, Micahel Wacha, and Pedro Avila. Rich Hill, the oldest active player in the majors, and RHP Matt Waldron were recalled to fill in roster spots.

Darvish will look to have a big bounceback in 2024 as the Padres' pitching rotation will have uncertainty. Snell and Hill are set to become free agents while Lugo and Wacha both have contract options that could lead to them hitting the open market as well. Darvish and Musgrove will be the two main pitchers with potential openings in their lineup.

Joseph Filler

ESPN SoCal

8-27-23

Aug 25, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Jake Cronenworth (9) is helped back to the dugout by the medical staff against the Milwaukee Brewers in the ninth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Padres are struggling to find a spot in the MLB playoffs - and another crucial injury for the team will not help their situation. 

First Baseman Jake Cronenworth was sidelined during Friday's game after being hit by a pitch from the Milwaukee Brewers' closer Andrew Chafin in the top of the 9th inning. 

It was later revealed that Cronenworth had suffered a Wrist Fracture, sending him to the 10-Day IL list. 

His timetable for return will be more clear in the upcoming days. The Padres' goal is to have him back in the lineup this season granted they secure a spot in the playoffs. 

After taking a 92.9 mph sinker off his wrist from Chafin, Cronenworth instantly knew something was wrong. 

"I kind of felt like it was broke." He mentioned about the play. 

"It sucks", Cronenworth later said in an interview regarding his injury. "I want to be out there with my teammates and playing and help us try to get to the playoffs." 

Cronenworth, noted for his durability and his solid defense, is someone the Padres could not lose at this point in the season. 

“Jake obviously is one of our core guys,” Padres general manager A.J. Preller said. “He's been swinging the bat really well. But just what he brings to the team every single day, that's going to be hard to replace.... Cast it up and it'll be hopefully a pretty straightforward recovery, and next man up for our team."

Infielder Matthew Batten will replace Cronenworth for the time being.

The Padres, sitting at a 61-69 record this season, are eight games below .500, putting them seven games out of earning the final NL Wild Card spot. They will need to have some exceptional performances in their upcoming games to keep their limited postseason hopes alive.

Joseph Filler

ESPN SoCal

8-23-23

Aug 23, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Robert Suarez (75) is ejected before throwing a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the seventh inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Robert Suarez was ejected from Wednesday night's game against the Miami Marlins - all before even throwing a singular pitch. 

Before the beginning of the 8th inning, Suarez was set to replace pitcher Steven Wilson. Upon request of the umpires, Suarez was checked for foreign substances. That is where the umpires found a "sticky substance" on Suarez, where crew chief Todd Tichenor instantly ejected him. 

Suarez was replaced by fellow rookie relief pitcher Tom Cosgrove. 

Suarez will serve a 10-game suspension, per a rule that has been implemented since the 2021 season to prevent pitchers from tampering with game balls. He is allowed to appeal the suspension. If it is held, then the Padres will be limited to 25 players during the suspension period.  

This ejection makes Suarez the 6th pitcher to be ejected since the rule was put in place. 

Suarez in 13 appearances this season has posted a 4.73 ERA, although missing 13 games due to an elbow injury. 

The Padres won Wednesday night's game aginst the Miami Marlins, 4-0. 

--Padres news and information can be placed here--