Padres Hit With Devastating Luis Rengifo Injury Update

Rengifo suffered the injury during a chaotic play on the bases. He was chasing Taylor Walls toward third before suddenly changing direction when Cedric Mullins broke for home.

Rengifo managed to get the throw off, but his knee buckled immediately afterward. He collapsed to the ground in obvious pain and eventually had to be carted off the field.

The Padres immediately placed the 29-year-old on the 10-day injured list before receiving the MRI results today. He will eventually be transferred to the 60-day IL when San Diego needs a roster spot.

Losing such a versatile player is a big blow for San Diego for several reasons.

Rengifo had been a major offensive boost since joining the Padres on a minor league deal in late June. In 127 at-bats with San Diego, he hit .291/.375/.409 with a .784 OPS, four home runs and three stolen bases.

His ability to play multiple positions became even more valuable after the Padres lost starting left fielder Ramón Laureano. Laureano underwent season-ending surgery in early June to repair a torn labrum in his right hip.

San Diego’s offense has been its biggest flaw this season, ranking near the bottom of the league in several major categories. The Padres rank 24th in batting average (.236), 21st in on-base percentage (.314) and 25th in slugging percentage (.385).

Losing Rengifo is the last thing an already inconsistent offense needed as San Diego fights for the final National League wild-card spot. Entering play Monday, the Padres sit a half-game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks with 25 games remaining.

The Padres will now have to find production elsewhere if they want to make it back to October.