The Padres will place infielders Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ian Kinsler on the injured list, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. It was already known that a back issue — now reported to be a strain — would likely send Tatis to the IL for the second time this season. A herniated disk in Kinsler’s neck will send him there alongside Tatis. Infielder Ty France and outfielder Travis Jankowski are coming up from Triple-A to fill the two roster spots.
Tatis is still undergoing tests, though Acee writes that the Padres hope he’s able to return in a couple of weeks. A timeline for Kinsler is less clear. With the Padres eight games below .500 and out of the playoff racing barring a stunning resurgence, the loss of Tatis doesn’t impact the postseason picture. However, a second stint on the IL throws a wrench into the 20-year-old Tatis’ Rookie of the Year candidacy. The young phenom is hitting .317/.379/.590 with 22 homers and 16 stolen bases in just 84 games this season. Kinsler, meanwhile, has seen his role dramatically reduced amid a career-worst season at the plate and was hitting just .217/.278/.368 through 281 plate appearances in the first season of a two-year, $8MM contract.
This’ll mark the season debut for Jankowski, 28, who began the season on the 60-day injured list due to a broken wrist. He’s batted .299/.387/.343 in 155 plate appearances with Triple-A El Paso since his wrist healed up to the point where he could return to the field. Jankowski, who’ll be arbitration-eligible this winter, is a lifetime .242/.319/.321 hitter in 953 plate appearances. Depending on how he performs, Jankowski could represent either a trade candidate or a non-tender candidate this winter.
France will return to the big leagues after posting a lackluster .235/.290/.357 batting line in 107 plate appearances earlier this season. However, France has posted an absurd .399/.477/.770 batting line with 27 home runs and 27 doubles apiece in just 76 games (348 plate appearances). The 25-year-old will have a tough path to regular MLB playing time with Manny Machado, Tatis and Eric Hosmer locked into three of the four infield positions and Luis Urias the likely second baseman of the future. France, though, could serve as a utility player who can play multiple positions for the Friars in the future, and his terrific numbers in Triple-A should put him in position for a long-term opportunity to do so. He’s controllable through at least the 2025 season.
lowtalker1
One step closer to a dfa of kinsler.
lowtalker1
Plus Owen Miller if not traded is the likeliest utility man of the future
CheeseHeadPadre
I think it’s between Owen Miller and Xavier Edwards for utikityman of the future. Greg Garcia sure is having a good showing in that role though. Only one will have a spot on this team and I’d guess they like Edwards a bit more.
Show Me Your Tatis
Miller doesn’t hold a candle to Edwards
jonnyzuck
nice to see ty France get another shot after destroying AAA this year
A-A
Those PCL stats are like video game #s though. Pitcher ERAs under 6.00 are rare there
CheeseHeadPadre
That’s true, it’s truly ridiculous the number that come out of that league you’d think it’d be in the best interest of MLB teams to make sure that AAA is playing more fair than this. I think that’s why a lot of GM’s don’t seem to have a problem promoting pitcher straight from AA. Seems like AAA would just hinder a young pitchers confidence.
jonnyzuck
Of course the raw numbers are misleading but even the adjusted stats say he’s been better than just about anyone in AAA so that should count for something
lowtalker1
Edwards the future second baseman
Show Me Your Tatis
Urias?
Yeetus
Wasn’t their an Ariana Grande song like that? ” Thank you France, Thank you France, I’m so ******* grateful for my land”
Yeetus
I feel behooved that this uncooth move was made
CheeseHeadPadre
France has gotta stick, if he can get any semblance of regular playing time at second while Tatis is down his bat should get going. It’s hard not to believe in a guy with those numbers, even without a prospect pedigree.
Koamalu
His position is 1B or DH. He really does not play defense well anywhere. That is the problem.
lowtalker1
Shut up burns
Phanatic 2022
I know I’ve read the PCL stats before but it’s always helpful when they list it in context to the league.
Ironman_4life
Did Kinsler hurt himself pitching?
nypadre66
I think he made contact with the ball and the shock of hitting something was too much for his old frame to handle.