The Padres’ 1-0 loss to the Pirates on Tuesday night had the kind of sting that lingers. San Diego got seven shutout innings from Michael King, who punched out seven, but one swing from Oneil Cruz was enough to settle it. Cruz turned a 98 mph changeup from Mason Miller - a pitch he has thrown less than 25 times this season - into a two-out solo homer that became the difference in a frustrating defeat, dropping the Padres to 71-62.
Away from the box score, there was movement on a few fronts. A former Padre announced his retirement at 33, bringing an end to a major league career that included 20 games in San Diego in 2022.
There was also an update on Manny Machado, who was in visible pain on his final two swings Monday because of his index finger. Manager Craig Stammen said Machado is dealing with a bruise on the inside of the finger, an issue he knows well.
“He’s got a bruise right on the inside of his index finger, and it just irritates it every time he hits it off the end of the bat,” Stammen said. “ … They’ll take care of it. He’s got a little sleeve that he’s going to wear now, and hopefully it’s not something that lingers for very long.”
Machado’s injury came as his offensive struggles continue, adding another layer to the concern around the Padres’ star third baseman.
On Monday, new owners José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones addressed Padres fans for the first time and made their intentions plain. Jones stressed the competitive mindset the group is bringing to San Diego.
"We are competitive," Jones. "We want to win.
What does that look like? It may take a lot of different pictures and scenarios of what it could be, and we will see, but please understand how competitive we are."
Feliciano pointed to a shared outlook between his family and the city, saying it will matter as the franchise tries to build something lasting at Petco Park.
“We share something important with San Diego - the willingness to dream big and the belief that the impossible can become possible,” Feliciano said.
In Other News...
Manny Machado Issue Just Became A Bigger Padres Concern
Manny Machados hand has become a little more than a day-to-day nuisance for the Padres, even if he has kept taking the field. Craig Stammen confirmed Machado is dealing with a bruise on the inside of his index finger, the kind of small injury that can still be aggravating every time he makes contact, and the club is planning to have him wear a protective sleeve as it keeps an eye on how he responds.
Machado has continued to play every game, which is part of why this bears watching closely rather than sounding the alarm immediately. For a Padres team that leans on his presence in the middle of the lineup and on the infield, any lingering irritation that affects his swing is the sort of issue that can quietly grow into something more consequential if it does not ease up. [Read more 🡒]
Manny Machado Issue Just Raised The Stakes For Padres Push
Manny Machado is dealing with a bruise on the inside of his index finger, a small injury that can have a bigger effect than it sounds like for a hitter who lives with hard contact on every swing. Padres manager Craig Stammen said Machado will wear a protective sleeve and is day to day, which at least gives San Diego some hope that the issue can be managed without a longer interruption.
The immediate question is whether Machado will be in the lineup for the next game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. For a Padres club trying to keep its push on track, even a short-term absence from the middle of the order and the left side of the infield would force a quick adjustment, and the uncertainty now hangs over every at-bat he takes until the hand settles down. [Read more 🡒]
Padres Face A Roster Squeeze At The Worst Possible Time
The Padres are trying to keep their footing in the middle of a tight stretch, and the latest roster moves underline how little margin they have right now. After a 3-2, 12-inning loss to the Pirates dropped San Diego to 71-61, the club sent Sung-Mun Song back to Triple-A and brought up outfielder Dustin Harris, who has been swinging it well in the minors and gives the roster another option as it searches for a spark.
There was more churn on the pitching side, too, with the team officially releasing a former Dodgers arm as it continues to sort out the back end of the roster. Craig Stammen also weighed in on Ty Frances place in the mix, pointing to his role and leadership while France heads toward free agency, another reminder that the Padres are balancing the present against what comes next at the same time. [Read more 🡒]