Padres give ideal update on Xander Bogaerts' injury timeline as playoffs loom

Xander Bogaerts' foot injury has been hit with a rollercoaster of updates. After fouling a pitch off of his foot in late August, it was difficult to determine how long the veteran shortstop would be out.

There were some hints of hope that he would come back to the team prior to the start of the playoffs, but then - even if momentarily - the latest updates had fans believing that he would be sidelined longer than expected.

But now, as we approach the weekend, it appears that Bogaerts will travel with San Diego for the upcoming series on the road against the Chicago White Sox.

Padres' Xander Bogaerts might be ready to play with three series remaining in regular season

This update of good news comes at the perfect time. The Friars have gone back and forth winning and losing in Bogaerts' absence, and if it's one thing that he provides, it's a level of consistency. The Padres need him as they take on the White Sox, Brewers, and Diamondbacks to close out the 2025 regular season sitting in second place in the NL Wild Card race.

A fully healthy Padres lineup is arguably of the best among playoff teams, and bringing Bogaerts back helps solidify that argument. Bogaerts has 39 extra-base hits this season and an OPS north of .700. It's not elite, but it brings balance to a team that needs all hands on deck.

Other San Diego injuries to keep an eye out for are Joe Musgrove, David Morgan, and Nestor Cortes. Musgrove threw a bullpen session this week in New York. Cortes should be throwing live to batters within the next couple of days, all while Morgan is still recovering from right shoulder inflammation that could keep him out the rest of the regular season.