Since trading for Luis Arráez, the San Diego Padres have relied heavily on him as a key part of their offense. Over the course of 64 games, Arráez has posted a.314/.341/.394 slash line and earned a spot in the All-Star Game due to his impressive performance. However, underlying issues have surfaced, casting a shadow over his otherwise strong start with the Padres.
Prior to the All-Star Game, it was revealed that Arráez was dealing with a thumb injury. Though he has continued to play, the injury was concerning enough that both he and the team decided it was best for him to sit out the All-Star Game.
Arráez’s home run against the Nationals on Tuesday was encouraging, but ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the thumb injury could remain a significant issue.
Passan didn’t provide specific details about the injury, but his mention of it in an unrelated article is notable, given his tendency to avoid unfounded speculation. Arráez jammed his thumb in late June, and his performance since then has reflected the impact of the injury.
Since the beginning of July, Arráez’s production has declined. In 60 plate appearances this month, he has slashed. 276/.300/.379, with a boost in slugging percentage coming from his recent home run. Even under normal circumstances, Arráez isn’t known for high impact hits, and his performance while injured has been subpar.
Passan’s comments highlight a dilemma for the Padres. Should the injury be severe enough, the Padres would place Arráez on the injured list. However, the injury likely affects his hitting ability, and playing a compromised leadoff hitter is problematic. The best course of action might be to give Arráez time off to heal, but the Padres might feel pressured to keep him in the lineup to remain competitive in the playoff race.
As the trade deadline approaches, Arráez’s injury adds complexity to the decisions the Padres’ front office will need to make.
