The San Diego Padres clinched a series win with their 5-3 victory vs. the Atlanta Braves on Sunday after getting swept by the Toronto Blue Jays, but that doesn't solve their left field problem.
The club put five-time Gold Glover Jason Heyward on the 10-day IL on Saturday due to a left oblique strain, leaving backup outfielder Brandon Lockridge and outfielder/first baseman Gavin Sheets behind him on the depth chart. Lockridge is slashing .197/.258/.262 with four RBI through 29 games, and Sheets is slashing .283/.327/.516 with 10 homers and 31 RBI through 48 games. However, he's taken just nine at-bats as an outfielder this season.
There's also utility man Tyler Wade, who's slashing .263/.373/.316 with four RBI across 27 contests, but has yet to play left field this year. The 30-year-old also took just 10 at-bats while playing the position last season.
The Padres have been in a bad spot with Heyward playing, too. The 35-year-old is slashing just .176/.223/.271 with two homers and 12 RBI through 34 games. His latest injury has only emphasized their need at left field, which is why they're scouring the trade market, via The San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee.
MLBTradeRumors.com's Mark Polishuk suggested the floundering Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates as potential trade partners on Sunday.
"If Baltimore can’t turn around its shocking disappointing season, such outfielders and impending free agents as Cedric Mullins, Ryan O'Hearn, or Ramon Laureano could all be of interest to outfield-needy teams like the Padres," he wrote.
"Tommy Pham is having a rough year for the Pirates and might be available earlier, but despite Pham’s struggles, the ex-Padre might get some consideration from his former team," he continued.
San Diego is third place in the NL West at 29-22, while Baltimore and Pittsburgh are each last in their divisions at 18-34 and 19-35, respectively.
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