Padres' Gavin Sheets injury update reveals a clear offseason bench need

A.J. Preller's list of things to get done this offseason has only grown larger. The San Diego Padres need another bat in the starting lineup, as well as a few pitchers. But it doesn't end there.

With Gavin Sheets' foot injury keeping him out for most of September, fans started to worry about what that could mean for the team's spark plug. Sheets had an incredible 2025 season with a career-high 19 home runs, plus 71 RBIs and 28 doubles. He almost reached those numbers in 2026, but wasn't quite as productive, nor healthy.

What has become the big concern surrounding Sheets is how long could this foot injury impact him? He's 30 years old, and that kind of injury has historically been unkind to big left-handed hitters. On top of that, it doesn't seem like Sheets will not get surgery on his foot this offseason.

So what's the deal? Should the Padres run the gamble of having Sheets as their go-to bench option? It will be risky to go all in on Sheets, especially considering the surplus of lefty free agents who could be signed by San Diego to plug up the team's worry of Sheets.

Cedric Mullins, Nathaniel Lowe can bring similar Gavin Sheets production to Padres without health risks

If the Padres would prefer a first baseman to come off the bench, Nathaniel Lowe could be their guy. If they want to pursue an outfielder who plays a couple times per week, then there's Cedric Mullins.

Like Sheets, both players are veteran left-handed swingers who don't need to be in the starting lineup every day, but they provide offensive production when called upon. They will both be on the free agent market this offseason after Lowe amassed 39 extra-base hits in 126 games, and Mullins ended the regular season riding a five-game hitting streak with 15 total homers and 21 stolen bases. Mullins had a down year at the plate, so his asking price may not be too high. But, his defensive metrics were still elite, and his career offensive numbers make it worth having a conversation with him and his agent.

The best part about both these guys? They stay healthy. Lowe has not been on the injured list since April 2024. Mullins was last on the IL in May 2025. Sheets doesn't have a reputation of being injury-prone, but not getting surgery this offseason raises a big question mark on how often he will be able to play in 2026. That leaves us wondering if the answer for a lefty bench bat is somewhere else.

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