The Padres announced that they have placed outfielder Wil Myers on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to June 1, due to right knee inflammation. Fellow outfielder Brent Rookie was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.
While there’s no timeline on Myers’ absence just yet, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune provides some more information, including speaking to Myers himself. “I don’t think this is something that’s (going to be) many months by any means,” he says. However, Acee adds that arthroscopic surgery is still being considered, a procedure that would be aimed at cleaning up a loose cartilage flap behind the patellar tendon in his right knee. Despite Myers’ apparent lack of concern, surgery would surely alter his recovery timeline.
This is Myers’ second IL trip this year, as he also spent almost two weeks on the shelf due to a thumb injury. Perhaps due to that ailment and this knee issue, he is having the worst season of his career. Acquired from the Rays at the end of 2014, he’s played in seven seasons in San Diego, producing above-average production in six of them. His wRC+ has been 107 or higher in those six seasons, with 2019’s 97 being his only below-average campaign. However, this year, he’s hitting .234/.276/.306 for a wRC+ of just 66.
Despite a solid 30-21 record, the Padres haven’t gotten too much production from their outfield this year. Jurickson Profar is having a decent bounce-back year, hitting .226/.326/.392 for a wRC+ of 109, but Trent Grisham is hitting .159/.275/.280 for a wRC+ of 67, just barely ahead of Myers. The only other outfielder to have played more than 10 games on the year is Jose Azocar, who is hitting .254/.318/.305 for a wRC+ of 83. Nomar Mazara was added to the roster recently after a good showing in Triple-A, replacing Robinson Cano. Now Rooker, acquired in the Taylor Rogers–Chris Paddack trade, will enter the mix as well. Through 26 Triple-A games this year, Rooker has hit nine homers and produced a slash line of .242/.357/.568, 124 wRC+.
The long-term prognosis of this knee injury could have impacts down the line, as the 31-year-old is potentially heading to free agency at the end of the year. As part of the extension he and the club signed prior to the 2017 season, they have a team option for Myers’ services next year valued at $20M, with a $1M buyout.
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