San Diego Padres: Alex Dickerson Won’t Make Opening Day Roster

According to MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell, Alex Dickerson will continue to sit out with an elbow injury. He has yet to appear in a game with the San Diego Padres.

The crowded outfield appears to have become a little less crowded. San Diego Padres beat writer for MLB.com, AJ Cassavell, reported this evening that OF Alex Dickerson will continue to miss time due to an elbow injury. He is expected to be out past Opening Day.

Update: Dickerson has been diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow. According to Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Dickerson is weighing his options which include Tommy John (season ending) or rehab in an attempt to return to action later this season. 

It appears that Dickerson will not make the Padres’ 25-man roster coming out of camp, however, he does have an option remaining and can begin the year in El Paso.

Matt Szczur, oblique, has also been sidelined all spring but is expected to make his debut tonight or tomorrow. Szczur is out of options, meaning a quick recovery and immediate production is imperative if he wants to make the team. His fellow competitors have a significant head start in the race.

Who will play in the outfield for the San Diego Padres?

Two of the three starting outfield spots are locked in. Manuel Margot will slot in at centerfield, while Wil Myers occupies either left or right field.

The absence of Szczur and Dickerson has led to ample playing time for Franchy Cordero. Cordero has made his case for a major league roster spot loud and clear. He’s currently hitting .421 with four doubles and two home runs (including an inside-the-park HR). Each time he comes up to the plate, I find myself on the edge of my seat waiting to see what he does next.

The best option for San Diego may be an outfield of Margot, Myers, and a platoon of Hunter Renfroe and Franchy Cordero.

Does Andy Green keep five outfielders on the 25-man roster? Yes. There’s no way he keeps six though, right?

Green appears to really want Travis Jankowski to contribute, unfortunately, he’s struggled this spring (2-16 at the plate). His speed on the basepaths and ability to play all three outfield spots should secure him a roster spot.  Jankowski missed significant time last season with a foot injury and is now fully healthy. I don’t expect his slow start to continue and do foresee Dickerson as being a highly valuable fifth outfielder on the roster.

That still leaves the question of what to do with Jose Pirela? His spring work at second base may be his saving grace to making the team. The bottom line is that there are too many outfielders and not enough roster spots.

Next: The Padres Have a Special Player In Freddy Galvis

Hopefully, the injury to Dickerson is not severe. You can’t help but feel for the young man who has missed so much time over his career. We should know more about his status in the upcoming days. Until then, let the outfield competition continue on!