Padres: Infield Injuries Reveal Lack of Organizational Depth

When Alexei Ramirez limped into second base after hitting a run-scoring double in the fifth inning of the San Diego Padres’ 8-7 loss to the Chicago Cubs Tuesday night, Padres manager Andy Green wasted no time in removing him from the game to send him in to work with the trainers. After the game, Green stated that Ramirez had told the skipper that it was just a cramp, and that he was fine to stay in the game, but Green wasn’t taking any chances with his starting shortstop. These days, when they hear the word “hamstring,” Green and the trainers are being a little extra cautious.

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That’s pretty understandable. Although it seemed likely after Ramirez had met with the training staff that the injury was not serious, the first six weeks of the season have brought a rash of injuries to the Padres infield. Four other infielders are currently on the disabled list nursing leg injuries.

Since third baseman Yangervis Solarte went down in the Padres’ fifth game of the season with a right hamstring strain, he has been joined by Cory Spangenberg, Alexi Amarista, who suffered a right hamstring strain on April 23, and Jemile Weeks, who left last Saturday’s game with – say it with me – a right hamstring strain.

Spangenberg has the only unique injury of the four, with a strain in his left quadriceps. Spangenberg has been on the DL since April 20.

Ramirez’ near-injury reveals a bit of a shortage of depth at shortstop in the upper levels of the organization. While Adam Rosales was able to fill in after Ramirez left the game Tuesday night, if Ramirez’ hamstring isn’t completely ready to go for Wednesday’s double-header, the Padres will  likely have to reach down to Double-A to bring up shortstop Jose Rondon, according to Dennis Lin. The 22-year old Rondon is pretty raw, having played only 55 games at the Double-A level so far. But current Triple-A shortstop Diego Goris is not on the 40-man roster.

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Earlier in the day, the Padres claimed left-handed pitcher Keith Hessler off waivers from the Diamondbacks. Green suggested Hessler might be added to the roster for one game of the double-header. If he needs to add an infielder instead, that could leave the bullpen a little short.

And the starting infield would likely be Brett Wallace at third, Rosales at short, and Jose Pirela at second. Not exactly the starting lineup the team was hoping to field against the 25-6 Cubs.