San Diego’s game against Tampa Bay took a frightening turn Saturday when Padres utility man Luis Rengifo had to be carted off the field after an apparent non-contact lower-leg injury in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The scene was especially unsettling because Rengifo was down for several minutes before he was able to get up. Trainers spent significant time examining his knee, and when he finally left the field, he wasn’t putting any weight on his right leg. He had his towel over his face as he was taken away.
The play unfolded after Rengifo made a throwing error and then collapsed to the ground. Members of the Padres took a knee while he remained on the field.
Rengifo’s season with San Diego has been a useful one after a rough start elsewhere. He opened the year with the Milwaukee Brewers on a one-year, $3.5 million deal, but struggled there and was released in June. The Padres quickly signed him to a minor league contract, then promoted him to the active roster in July.
Since joining San Diego, he has given the club an immediate lift. In 38 games, Rengifo has hit .291/.375/.409 with four home runs, 17 RBIs and an OPS of .784. He has also filled multiple roles, logging time at second base, third base and in left field.
“He came along right at the right time,” manager Craig Stammen said of Rengifo earlier this month. “We just needed that little spark and that little bit of energy. And then, he had a hot bat, too.”
Rengifo recently told the San Diego Union-Tribune how much the opportunity meant to him as the Padres pushed for the postseason.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “We have a good group here. … For me, they gave me the welcome feel pretty quick, and so I’m grateful and thanks God for this.”
Rengifo, 29, is in his eighth season in Major League Baseball. He spent his first seven years with the Los Angeles Angels before splitting time with Milwaukee and San Diego this year. He is set to reach free agency after the season.
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