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Padres News: Yonder Alonso Getting MRI on Right Shoulder

By Tim Richer

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Last night Yonder Alonso left last nights game with after diving for a ball in the 8th inning, injuring his right shoulder. Today he’ll go for an MRI to determine the severity of the injury.

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Bud Black has already said he will not be available for tonight’s game against the Diamondbacks and Yangervis Solarte would likely be the starter at first. Losing Alonso for any period of time is a huge blow to the lineup. Not only is he one of the few lefties on the team, but he’s been one of the team’s top hitters. Alonso leads the team batting average and OBP and is second in wOBA, wRC+ and WAR.

Injuries have been a common theme throughout Alonso’s big league career. The past two seasons he has missed significant periods of time due to injury playing just 97 games in 2013 and 84 in 2014. If this injury knocks him out an extended period of time, it’d be very concerning. If the team can’t rely on him for a full season, cutting ties with him this offseason would definitely be a conversation that the front office would have. Hopefully it’s just a jammed shoulder, but it is worrisome.

If he is out for extended period of time the Padres will need a replacement. As mentioned earlier Solarte will likely be getting the start tonight. He’s the most likely option to take over everyday, which opens up more playing time for Jed Gyorko and Will Middlebrooks who have been losing at bats to Solarte and Cory Spangenberg recently.

Also Tommy Medica could get the call to return to the big leagues. Medica played in 106 games for the Padres last year hitting .233/.286/.408. This year in AAA El Paso he’s hit .267/.278/.371 in 26. Not exactly awe inspiring numbers, especially in the hitter friendly ballparks of the PCL.

An interesting option would be Brett Wallace. Wallace signed a minor league deal with the Padres this offseason and is off to a hot start in AAA. The former Astros’ first baseman has hit .324/.391/.461 and would also replace Alonso with another left handed bat.

Hopefully this injury is nothing and Alonso will be back in lineup sometime this weekend.

Next: Padres Sign Catcher Bello

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