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Yonder Alonso has first base experience and Will Venable can start in center field. But the Padre who was versatile enough to play both positions, Wil Myers, could be out for up to eight weeks after preparing to undergo left wrist surgery, according to Dennis Lin of The San Diego Union-Tribune.
While San Diego is hoping Myers will be able to resume baseball activities in six weeks, eight might prove to be more realistic. Myers will have a bone spur trimmed on Thursday in Arizona, Lin adds, but the timing could prove to be costly. A recovery time between six and eight weeks would enable Myers to begin a rehab assignment in the middle of August, and if the Padres are not in contention at that point, sitting out for the rest of the season may be a more beneficial option.
Myers, 24, has posted a .277/.327/.459 batting line to complement five home runs and 19 RBIs in 35 games to this point in 2015. He was acquired in the three team deal that sent Trea Turner and Joe Ross to Washington and five additional players (Steven Souza and Travis Ott among them) to Tampa Bay.
San Diego placed Myers on the disabled list in the middle of May with wrist tendinitis but he was able to return after a month. After only appearing in three games, though, he was placed on the disabled list again with the same issue.
Before the Padres acquired Myers, according to Lin, the club was aware of his history of wrist injuries. Last season in Tampa Bay, Myers suffered a stress fracture in one wrist while jamming another. He also missed 28 games after falling while running the bases and balancing himself with his left wrist.
The Padres were confident Myers, who passed a series of tests, was completely healthy before activating him from the disabled list. He was asked to play center field although his outfield defense has been questioned. San Diego was fond of his ability to produce consistently and a struggling offensive team will now be without another key bat.
Matt Kemp and Justin Upton will likely remain in their respective corner outfield spots with Melvin Upton and Will Venable receiving playing time in center field in Myers' absence. The Padres' lineup may benefit from the addition of another left-handed bat, and while Myers was able to have success offensively, Venable may also be able to contribute on a regular basis.