The 2015 season is a lost cause for the San Diego Padres, and they received more unfortunate news Tuesday when Matt Kemp was forced to leave the game against the Milwaukee Brewers with an injury.
Continue for updates.
Melvin Upton Jr. Replaces Kemp
Tuesday, Sept. 29
Kemp had two at-bats Tuesday, but the team noted he left the contest with soreness in his right hand. It was a disappointing development for the outfielder in the same game he knocked in his 100th RBI of the season.
"Soft tissue issue in his hand, swollen," manager Pat Murphy said after the game, per the team. "Will have an MRI tomorrow. He wanted to continue, we thought best to take him out."
Melvin Upton Jr. pinch hit for Kemp to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning after the injury.
What Kemp's Absence Means for the Padres
Tuesday, Sept. 29
Kemp has been a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster campaign for the Padres. The team traded for him this offseason, and he has 23 home runs, 12 steals and the 100 RBI on the year. Corey Brock of MLB.com noted it was the first time Kemp reached the 100 RBI mark since 2011.
Upton Jr. is a veteran who has been in the league since 2004. He is not that far removed from the 2012 campaign when he drilled 28 home runs and stole 31 bases for the Tampa Bay Rays. While he has been nowhere near that player this season (.243 batting average, with five home runs and 17 RBI entering Tuesday's game), he can at least play out the string for the Padres if Kemp cannot return.
San Diego sits in fourth place in the National League West and has long been eliminated from playoff contention. There is no reason for Kemp to risk further injury by returning this year unless he is 100 percent healthy.
It is far more important for the Padres that he is ready to go by the start of spring training in 2016.
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