Welcome back. The former Boston Red Sox great will return to the San Diego Padres on Monday after missing almost a month due to a fractured left foot.
Kevin Acee, the Padres beat reporter for the San Diego Union-Tribune, was the first to disclose Bogaerts’ anticipated comeback.
The two-time World Series winner couldn’t have chosen a better moment to return to the lineup. With a win on Monday, the Padres secure a postseason position, reducing San Diego’s magic number to one.
Bogaerts was getting hot when he went down with a non-displaced fracture. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the four-time All-Star has been hitting.303 with an OPS of.835 since June 19.
“(Bogaerts is) a tough guy,” Padres manager Mike Shildt told MLB.com’s Patrick Donnelly after the shortstop fell down. “It could always be worse, but it could always be better.”
“I recently noted how nicely he swings the bat and plays shortstop. Shildt remarked, “He’s a catalyst on the club.”
Bogaerts, 32, has been on the disabled list for the second year in a row due to a fractured bone. Last summer, he lost seven weeks due to a damaged left shoulder.
The five-time Silver Slugger Award winner is currently in the third year of an 11-year, $280 million contract with the San Diego Padres. This season, he’s hitting.262 with 10 home runs, 49 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases through 131 games.
Bogaerts previously spent ten seasons in Boston, where he helped the Red Sox win World Series championships in 2013 and 2018.
According to MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell, former Red Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta will take the mound Monday as the Padres attempt to clinch the playoffs.
