San Diego Padres outfielder Ramon Laureano has suffered a significant setback, breaking his right index finger during the team’s 3-1 defeat to the Milwaukee Brewers. This injury will see Laureano miss the opening round of the playoffs, as confirmed by manager Mike Shildt. The injury occurred in the second inning when Laureano fouled off a pitch and subsequently struck out. Bryce Johnson took over his position in right field in the following inning.
Acquired at the trade deadline from the Baltimore Orioles alongside Ryan O’Hearn, Laureano quickly became a vital part of the Padres’ lineup. Since joining the team, he has made a notable impact, contributing nine home runs and 30 RBIs, bolstering the Padres’ offense in their playoff pursuit.
The Padres secured a spot in the postseason with a thrilling 5-4 victory against the Brewers in extra innings earlier this week. They then delivered a dominant 7-0 win over Milwaukee, narrowing the gap to 1½ games behind both the National League’s wild-card leaders, the Chicago Cubs, and the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.
Adding to the Padres’ challenges is the absence of star right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., who missed his third consecutive game due to an illness. The team has reported his symptoms include nausea, chills, and a fever. Despite these setbacks, the Padres remain optimistic as they prepare for the postseason with hopes of making a deep playoff run.