The San Diego Padres are facing yet another setback as they place two key players on the injured list: Randy Vásquez and Freddy Fermin. This move comes as a challenge to the team's already struggling pitching staff, which has allowed the sixth-most runs in MLB over the past month. With a rotation that has logged the third-fewest innings and a 5.27 earned run average, the Padres are in a tough spot.
Vásquez, a 27-year-old right-handed starter, has been struggling since the beginning of June. He has failed to reach the fourth inning in his past three starts and has a 4.71 ERA across 84 innings this season. His strikeout rate, at 16.3%, is only slightly higher than last year and is among the lowest in the league for pitchers with at least 80 frames. This indicates that the Padres' decision to continue using Vásquez regularly is questionable.
The team's rotation as a whole is in dire need of improvement. Michael King, Walker Buehler, Griffin Canning, and JP Sears have combined for a 7.06 ERA in 57 1/3 innings, which is a significant cause for concern. The Padres' struggles are further evidenced by their six-game losing streak, which has dropped them back to .500 and 3.5 games behind in the Wild Card race.
Fermin's injury is particularly unfortunate, as he had been on a hot streak. He joins Vásquez on the injured list, with Vásquez suffering from a bruised right ankle and Fermin from a head bruise. The Padres will now have to rely on Luis Campusano, who returns from a two-month absence due to a toe fracture, and Alek Jacob, recalled from Triple-A El Paso, to fill the void left by these injuries.
The team's recent injuries and poor performance have raised questions about the management of the pitching staff and the overall strategy of the Padres. With a rotation that is struggling to maintain consistency and a lineup that is dealing with injuries, the Padres face a challenging road ahead as they aim to improve their standing in the Wild Card race.
