UPDATE: According to Corey Brock of MLB.com, it turns out that Hairston will be placed on the disabled list before Saturday’s game. Padres manager Bud Black said they are still working through a corresponding roster move, however Brock writes that is likely to be either Oscar Salazar or Everth Cabrera.
9:05 PM, Friday: According to Corey Brock of MLB.com, Jerry Hairston Jr. said that he will likely need 2-3 weeks in order to rest a strained right elbow.
He won’t go on the disabled list since September 1 is just around the corner, but according to Brock, it sounds like the team is even debating shutting him down. If so, that would be a tought blow to the first-place Padres.
The 34-year-old Hairston is batting .249/.305/.362 with 10 home runs, 50 RBI, 51 runs scored and nine stolen bases this season. Of course, his value transcends his batting line, as the versatile Hairston has made appearances at shortstop, second base, third base, right field and and left field this season.
The recent addition of Miguel Tejada and the return of David Eckstein will help to cushion the blow at least a little bit, but you better believe that the unsung Hairston will be missed.