Padres catcher Austin Nola suffered a scary injury during today’s Cactus League game, as he was hit in the face by an errant Michael Fulmer pitch. Nola was carted off the field, though he was able to get up under his own power. Padres manager Bob Melvin suggested to reporters (including Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune) that Nola suffered a broken nose given the circumstances, but no official word has come from the team about the nature of the injury.
With just 11 days until Opening Day, it certainly looks as if the Padres will be missing their starting catcher for at least the beginning of the regular season. Nola was still projected to get the majority of playing time behind the plate this season, though former top prospect Luis Campusano (who was himself set back with a hamstring injury this spring) is slated for at least the backup role, and the Padres would surely be pleased if Campusano plays himself into a timeshare of catching duties.
With Nola now facing the injured list, however, Campusano might be the starter by default as the season opens. Brett Sullivan is also on the Padres’ 40-man roster but non-roster invitee Pedro Severino has MLB experience and would likely get the nod as the replacement in the event of Nola’s absence.
Acquired from the Mariners at the 2020 trade deadline, Nola has hit .254/.327/.348 over 665 plate appearances and 185 games in a Padres uniform, translating to a 95 OPS+. He also missed a big chunk of the 2021 season due to finger, thumb, and knee injuries, resulting in only 56 games during the 2021 campaign. Public defensive metrics were also very down on Nola’s glovework in 2022, with Statcast and Fangraphs each giving him subpar framing grades, as well as minus-6 Defensive Runs Saved.
The always-aggressive Padres explored the idea of signing Willson Contreras and Christian Vazquez during the offseason, before opting to stand pat with their catching corps apart from Severino’s minor league deal. It stands to reason that San Diego could be actively seeking out more catching help in the coming days, whether that comes in the trade market, or in pursuing any free agents who may soon be available due to end-of-camp roster cuts or veterans opting out of their minor league contracts.
Would not have happened if he was playing in the WBC.
Yeah it would have and he would have been decapitated.
It’s finally Campy szn!
No, but he may have gotten hit on the wrist instead, or had decided to celebrate too exuberantly.
No, you’re both wrong. It would not have happened if Fulmer was in the WBC. There, fixed it for you, you’re welcome.
Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat!
What is it with spring training and getting hit in the head on pitches? Maybe it’s just me but I’ve seen it happen a number of times…
Seems like more guys just throw as hard as they can without any control.
I see what you mean, maybe it’s about making good impressions in the spring but damn
But not about making an impression on the batter’s face.
If only pitchers were allowed to use some tacky materials to better grip the slick balls…
They can. Its called Rosin. There is a bag of it behind the mound in every MLB ballpark including spring training ones.
I hated rosin, it doesn’t really work well imo. And now guys are getting tossed for using sunscreen in the Arizona sun. It’s all silly, just pre-tack the balls better or let pitchers use some form of pre-approved substance.
Did you notice Sasaki in the game vs Mexico. Rosin works when all you want is GRIP and not to create artificially high spin rates.
Players are NOT getting tossed for using sunscreen in Arizona. They are getting tossed for using a combination of specific sunscreens combined with other chemicals on small portions of their bodies to create super tacky substances.
The leather they use for the ball in Japan has rosin incorporated into it. It is slightly tackier than the regular ball. In Japan the penalty for using a foreign substance on the ball is stricter than it is for using PED in MLB.
So make the ball slightly tackier and increase the penalty to the point no one will risk it.
That’s an amenable and desirable solution, thanks for saying it. That’s the end result I am pushing for; rosin isn’t a cure-all for everyone and the balls are still way too slick.
Would not have happened if he had a 9-5 job.
And just like that, Gary Sanchez got a 13 yr contract……
LOL
Lmao. Wouldn’t mind Gary on a minors deal tho
Would not have happened if he was sitting at home complaining on MLBTR about players getting hurt in the WBC.
Anyway, hope Nola only has a broken nose and no concussion. Wish him a speedy recovery.
Another new Manfred rule, if you get hit in the head you have 60 seconds to crawl off the field or you’re out.
That’s very funny!
Almond joys are my favorite candy.
It would have to be 30 seconds. Gotta speed up these games for the Tik Tok generation.
Don’t give Manfred any ideas. Hilarious though.
Manfred the tool would do that. That’s pretty funny though.
I like the rule. Make guys toughen up like the good ol’days.
That would be a neat video game rule. Anyone remember Base Wars on the NES? Good times.
I don’t remember that game but in Blades of Steel, the loser of a fight got sent to the penalty box. That’s how it should be.
Great game
Base Wars was so great
I think Alfaro has an upward mobility clause coming that allows him to sign with a team that will add him to their roster. I’d like to have him back on the Padres right now, but it doesn’t really make any sense roster-wise since eventually Nola will come back.
They probably will just handle internally. It’s time for Campusano to step up.
Alfaro signed with the Res Sox recently. He was a fan favorite in San Diego and a good clubhouse fit, but he’s a terrible defensive catcher. I kind of like what Brett Sullivan has shown this spring.
The way I look at it is it’s dependent on how long Nola will be out. If he’s out for a month, he’s going to miss about 20 games. Campy can handle most of those so that might mean like ~5ish games of Sullivan which is probably fine. If Nola needs extended time, like multiple months, then I’m concerned about the internal options because I don’t think Sullivan getting an extended look is ideal with this roster.
I mentioned Alfaro because his contract with the Red Sox allows him to take an MLB opportunity if he’s not on their roster on March 25th. Like I said before, it doesn’t make a ton on sense roster-wise to add him because then you have 3 MLB catchers once Nola is back, but it’s an interesting external possibility if the Sox don’t add him to their roster this week.
Campusano’s not going to step it up when he gets the chance because of the bad wheel.
Great.
Campy, the floor is yours.
Next man up!! They have a Lot of Hitting, until he gets back.
Bring back the sticky-stuff. Hard throwing guys who only last an inning or two have no control.
But then you’re gonna complain about even lower batting averages and higher K rates. Pick your poison.
I never complained about that. It was mostly fairweather fans.
It’s the owners and GM’s who complain about those things. They want to fill the seats up for games. More home runs and higher batting averages equals more fan interest.
If it’s only a broken nose, he should be ok for OD. Just stick some cotton up there and ice it for a few days.
Username checks out
It’s going to be a LONG YEAR FOR NOLA. Think about the BALLS HIT off his Mask. If you have EVER Broke you NOSE. OUCH.
Campy needs to take advantage and make Nola the next Wally Pip
Campusano been in purgatory. Has nothing left to prove at AAA and has been blocked by a mediocre catching tandem in SD for the last year+. Seeing as how he should have been great trade bait but wasn’t moved, they must believe in him. Time to let him sink or swim.
MLB needs to IMMEDIATELY implement a rule that suspends the pitcher who unintentionally hits a batter with a thrown ball for a period of time at least equal to the length of time that the batter is unable to perform to their maximum ability. These pitchers are accomplished professionals who are arguably the best in the world at what they do. The antiquated opinion of “just part of the game” is well past it’s prime when one team suffers the loss of an expensive player’s services, let alone the anguish inflicted on the player, while the pitcher and the team he plays for suffers NO CONSEQUENCES for the pitcher’s actions. In this instance Fulmer should immediately be suspended from play.
Nah
Would you say the same for batters which hit 100+ mph comebackers at the pitcher?
thats dumb bro
Seriously, you funny!
More reason that you can’t sign free agents and trade to make a winning team
Because homegrowns never get hit on the nose?
What does the Padres farm system look like? i say go after Stephenson from the Reds. The Reds are a joke wont be competitive for years…offer some prospects they will bite!
Campusano our top catching prospect (outside of ethan salas who is the #1 overall ranked international signing this year but only 16) was already going to be our backup in 2023. They signed pedro severino to be our 2nd backup. The quality of the catchers isn’t the best but I think they will manage until Nola gets back. They aren’t about to trade any big prospects for Stephenson. If they did get another catcher and needed to give up prospects, it would be someone more proven (they tried to get Vasquez who is a really good defensive catcher)
Velocity Obsession
(minus)
Control
(equals)
More hitters drilled in the face
Salas Time
Call the JV coach and get him sent up to Varsity already! It’s amazing to think but… he’s ready?!??? Sure looks smooth, but the breaking pitches might own his bat for awhile. Geez, 16.
He’s just a kid. Facing major league pitching right now would set back his development. Give him the time he needs to get ready.
You’re right, Doc. I was being facetious… I think? Kid is really impressive, but again, you’re right.
Can’t play MLB until 18 anyway
Major League Baseball has an 18-year-old minimum for U.S. players and 17 for international players.