Sung-Mun

Song

It appears to be nothing more than a routine day of rest for the 31-year-old outfielder. Fernando Tatis Jr. will move out to right field to cover for him while Sung-Mun Song will draw a start at second base and bat eighth against Zack Littell and the Nationals.

The RBI came on a groundout in the seventh, making in a 2-0 game. Song had a basehit earlier, though, and he had a nice drive to the warning track for a flyout in the ninth. If only the game had been played in GABP or Yankee Stadium, rather than Petco, that might have been good for his first MLB home run. Song is batting .176/.300/.235 through his first 20 plate appearances.

Song went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI, and two runs scored in his MLB debut on Tuesday. He has now started two straight games with Jake Cronenworth on the concussion-IL. Song was hitting .293/.364/.354 in 110 plate appearances at Triple-A with one home run, one steal, and a 27/11 K/BB ratio. There is a window for him to earn playing time if he can produce while Cronenworth is out.

Song got into a game for San Diego during the Mexico City Series back in late April. He’ll get his first extended opportunity with Jake Cronenworth hitting the injured list with a concussion. The 29-year-old brings some defensive versatility to the table and should fill a bench role after signing a four-year, $15 million contract with the Padres in the offseason.

Both clubs are permitted an extra position player for the international showdown. Song would be making his major-league debut if he gets into a game. The 29-year-old signed a four-year, $15 million contract during the offseason before missing time with an oblique strain during spring training.

The 29-year-old infielder was shelved at the end of the spring due to a right oblique strain. He had already been playing at Triple-A El Paso on a minor league rehab assignment where he has hit .276/.364/.310 with zero homers, 10 RBI, zero stolen bases and a 17/8 K/BB ratio over 66 plate appearances. He’ll remain there in an everyday role until he’s needed at the big league level.

He also had a 103-mph lineout to the outfield. Song was limited to eight games this spring by an oblique strain. The Padres could option him to Triple-A once his IL stint is over, but giving him the roster spot currently occupied by Nick Castellanos also seems like a possibility.

As expected, Song hits the injured list after aggravating an oblique strain earlier this month. The 29-year-old is expected to occupy a versatile multi-position role in his San Diego debut this season.

Song was able to participate in a Triple-A game Sunday. The infielder will begin the season on the injured list, but it’s an encouraging sign that he’s able to participate in exhibition games. He’ll likely begin a rehab assigment shortly after the start of the year, and could help San Diego by the end of April.

It’s possible he could begin the season on the injured list or in the minor leagues if he’s set back far enough, perhaps opening a spot on the Padres bench for Ty France or Jose Miranda. Song initially suffered the oblique injury in January during a batting practice session. He looks unlikely to have short-term fantasy value at the start of the season based on this update.