2 excuses the San Diego Padres can't use in 2023, and 1 they can use

The San Diego Padres can say injuries derailed their 2023 season

Theoretically, every team can claim this, so it's not a unique excuse by any means. However, the San Diego Padres still experienced a plethora of player injuries in 2023.

Whether it's Joe Musgrove, Manny Machado, Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, Robert Suarez or any player in between, this season hasn't been a particularly healthy one for San Diego. Missing key contributors on the field will always impact a team's performance, and the Padres are no different.

San Diego barely got to see its veteran rotation take multiple full turns together one through five this season. The lineup missed Manny Machado, a typically dependable player, when he was sidelined earlier in 2023. Bullpen setup men Steven Wilson and Robert Suarez each also missed significant time, which made the bridge to Josh Hader relatively perilous.

Are injuries the best excuse for a lost season? Admittedly not, but you can't deny their effect on the 2023 San Diego Padres either.