Padres Turn to Veteran Heyward Amid Injury Struggles

San Diego, CA — The San Diego Padres are navigating the challenges of player injuries as they prepare for their second game against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. With center fielder Jackson Merrill still recuperating from a hamstring injury, the Padres are turning to veteran Jason Heyward to fill the void.

Merrill, who has yet to begin jogging, has progressed to bunting on the field, but significant contributions are still questionable. In contrast, outfielder Brandon Lockridge reported substantial improvement on his hamstring strain and may start jogging by Wednesday. His return could be imminent, just in time for the eleventh day of his stint on the injured list.

Despite these setbacks, the Padres (14-3) need stability in the outfield. Tyler Wade started Monday, but on Tuesday, 35-year-old Jason Heyward will take center field against left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga from the Cubs. Though Heyward hasn’t faced a lefty this season, his accolades, including five Gold Gloves and extensive playtime in center field, give Padres manager Mike Shildt confidence in his ability.

“You look up and you go, ‘Gosh, there’s Jason Heyward sitting there,’” Shildt remarked. “He has multiple Gold Gloves and has played a lot of center field. A veteran guy that knows how to play the position, for sure.”

Heyward seems to be finding his rhythm, hitting his first home run as a Padre last Saturday. After a slow start where he went 0-for-10, he has bounced back, recording a .276 batting average and .333 on-base percentage over his last 11 games.

“It’s a process,” Heyward said about adjusting to his role on the team. “You got to fall in love with the process.” In the lineup for Tuesday, Heyward will bat eighth, flanked by second baseman José Iglesias and catcher Martín Maldonado.

In light of left-handed pitching, Oscar Gonzalez will start in left field, while Yuli Gurriel fills the designated hitter spot, moving Gavin Sheets to a pinch-hitting role.

Meanwhile, pitcher Bryan Hoeing is gradually returning from his shoulder strain, completing his fifth bullpen session, which he described as pain-free and without setbacks. “It’s come a long way. There was a lot of hard work. But finally, I feel like the hard work is paying off,” Hoeing noted. The next step involves live batting practice at the Peoria Sports Complex as he moves towards a minor league rehab assignment.

Cubs third baseman Justin Turner is familiar with the hostile atmosphere at Petco Park, where he faced boos during his at-bats. This reception is a reminder of his successful tenure with the Dodgers, particularly after their defeat to the Padres in the 2022 NLDS. “Honestly, I’m glad they’re booing me. It means I did some good things here in the past,” he said, laughing. “If they weren’t booing me, I probably didn’t do too much to help them lose games.”

Tuesday’s game features Cubs starter Shota Imanaga, who has successfully logged quality innings this season. Imanaga holds a 2-1 record with a 2.70 ERA and previously defeated the Padres earlier this month at Wrigley Field. On the Padres side, Randy Vásquez is expected to pitch, having started the season with a 1-1 record and a 1.72 ERA. However, he has struggled with walks, reflecting a critical area for improvement as he enters the matchup.