Padres Injury Update: Fernando Tatis Jr. timetable, Wandy Peralta, Stephen Kolek
The San Diego Padres have not been immune to the injury bug this season. The team had been without Joe Musgrove for quite some time, and Xander Boagerts was out of the lineup for several weeks with a shoulder injury. More recently, the Friars lost Ha-Seong Kim to the IL as well.
But while the Padres have escaped major, season-ending injuries (so far) this season, they've had a couple of high-profile guys on the IL. What's the latest injury update on superstar outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr.? When will relievers Wandy Peralta and Stephen Kolek return to the Padres bullpen?
Padres Injury Update: Fernando Tatis Jr. moved to 60-day IL
In order to add shortstop Mason McCoy to the Padres 40-man roster, Tatis was moved from the 10-day to the 60-day IL. Now, Tatis has already been out for two months, so this move is more procedural than anything else. Tatis can still come off the IL at any point.
But there's still no definitive timetable for the outfielder's return. According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic (subscription required), team officials believe Tatis' return could be pushed until mid-September. Tatis was placed on the IL at the end of June with a right femoral stress reaction, and his return date has been shrouded in mystery.
Padres Injury Update: Wandy Peralta pitched simulated inning
The Padres lost pitcher Wandy Peralta just before the All-Star break. The former New York Yankees reliever, who signed with San Diego this past offseason, has been on the IL since July 12 with a left adductor strain.
But earlier this week, Peralta pitched a simulated inning at Petco Park which is typically a precursor to a rehab assignment. With Peralta having been sidelined for over a month, one has to believe that a week's worth of prep in the minor leagues would be necessary before the southpaw returns to the active roster.
Padres Injury Update: Stephen Kolek has yet to throw off mound
Padres fans were amazed with the performance of Rule 5 draftee Stephen Kolek this season. The right-hander had his ups and downs during his first season in the Padres organization. At the time of his placement on the injured list, Kolek had a 5.29 ERA.
Tendinitis in his right elbow landed Kolek on the injured list at the end of last month, and the 27-year-old has yet to step back onto the mound. Kolek has played catch, but that's hardly a signal that he'll be ready to rejoin the club anytime soon.