Padres outfielder Alex Dickerson has been diagnosed with a “disc protrusion” in his back, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports (Twitter links). Fortunately, surgery won’t be required at this time, though a timeline for a return is uncertain. According to Lin, Dickerson will sit for about three or four weeks before being evaluated again by the team’s medical staff.
The news makes it all but certain that Dickerson won’t command an Opening Day roster spot for the Friars, who have numerous competitors vying for outfield roles in camp. The 26-year-old, who hits from the left side, had made a strong case for a MLB job with his .257/.333/.455 showing in 285 plate appearances in 2016. But with just one game of spring action under his belt to this point, it seems reasonable to anticipate that the organization will give Dickerson time to work back to full health before considering him for the major league roster once more.
Even with Dickerson sidelined to start the year, the Padres will still face some interesting questions in determining the outfield mix. Up the middle, the team will likely decide whether to open the year with prospect Manuel Margot in the majors; otherwise, Travis Jankowski would figure to take that job. Cory Spangenberg, who also plays the infield, is another 40-man player with a lefty bat who could factor in the corner mix, Lin notes on Twitter, while minor-league free agents Rafael Ortega and Nick Buss are also in camp. Another southpaw-swinging non-roster option, Brett Wallace, seems to face an uphill battle to claim a role as a bench bat.
On the right-handed side of the equation, Hunter Renfroe could well be slated for a full showcase in the majors. But with Dickerson’s absence, there may now also be room for hot-hitting slugger Jabari Blash. He has swatted five home runs and drawn six walks while slashing .308/.441/.885 thus far, continuing a strong Triple-A showing in 2016. Jack-of-all-trades Christian Bethancourt functions as a wild card, with MiLB free agent signee Collin Cowgill also perhaps a factor, though he has struggled in his limited game action thus far. Lin notes that infielder Allen Cordoba, a Rule 5 pick, might also see some time on the grass.
Regardless of who cracks the roster to start the season, the Padres figure to retain plenty of flexibility as it unfolds. All of the 40-man members listed above (excluding Bethancourt) have options remaining. In Dickerson’s case, though, he’s entering his final option year, so he’ll need to work his way back to the majors and earn an opportunity to establish his place in San Diego’s future plans.
Buss was already sent to minor league side of Peoria making him unlikely.
Thoughts and prayers.
Yes, go on
So the Padres might have an actually interesting lineup: Hedges, Myers, Schimpf, Sardinas (ok, he stinks), Solarte, Blash, Margot, Renfroe…terrible infield defense but at least an interesting set of bats.
That pitching, though…
The young bats might be fun to watch but it’ll be hard to have consistency without a true veteran hitter in the clubhouse
I would imagine that Jankowski would be starting. Whether it be in Left Field with Margot in Center or Center with Blash in Left and Margot in AAA
Janko is not a MLB starter except on Padres
Sariñas is still young, and he has shown SOME promise.
That’s interestingly bad
Even if Margot were playing in games (and he hasn’t for 11 days and counting), it seems improbable he’d be on the opening day roster. I can’t imagine they will sacrifice the year of control.
Opening day outfield barring other injuries or acquisitions is probably Blash, Jankowski, Renfroe with Ortega on the bench.
Yeah I tweaked that a bit. Just so many danged possibilities it’s hard to keep track.
Why wouldn’t they sacrifice the year of control? Apparently they’re going to do it with Hunter Renfroe.
Renfroe is a much different hitter than Margot.
Serious Power Threat….could hit 35 HR’s (and strike out 200 times)
There’s a big difference between protecting an age 28 season and an age 31 season. Especially when the guy who’s going to be older when he hits FA is likely going to be more one-dimensional at that point.
Should be jankowski, blash, spangenberg to start the season.
No sense in wasting control of margot and renfoe. Delay their time this season until what end of may early june then call them up.
Spangenberg is a name Padres fans love but I just don’t get it. Hes really not very good. A poor defensive infielder with no ability to play short, no power at all, and he was hurt all of last year. He feels like a quad-A player to me.
He isn’t a pro defender
When he was drafted, he signed the within the hour after being eliminated from the college World Series. No haggle, just wanting to play.
His issue has been staying healthy
Isn’t a bad defender *
He isn’t a good defender…
He isn’t a bad defender at his natural position of 2nd
Move him. Then you can say he isn’t a good defender
All the metrics say he is a below-average second baseman. Maybe he moves up to average with a full healthy season. But the bat doesn’t really play anywhere.
Yeah I’ve never really been a fan of him. Knowing his history, having him in the mix for an OF spot seems like another injury waiting to happen.