Ramón

Laureano

Laureano landed on the injured list earlier in the week with right hip inflammation and now it looks like he’s going to miss considerable time. The Padres announced that he’s expected to miss 4-5 months after undergoing surgery to repair his labrum. This is very likely to end his 2026 season.

Laureano heads to the shelf after hitting .203/.286/.374 with seven homers, 21 RBI and seven steals in 53 games. He got off to a hot start before really fading over the last couple weeks. It’s unclear how much time he’s going to miss at this juncture.

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 31-year-old outfielder snapped a 3-3 tie as he deposited a 3-2 changeup from Jeffrey Springs into the seats in left field for a 401-foot (102.9 mph EV) solo shot, giving the Padres a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Laureano finished the evening 1-for-3 and is now hitting .217/.297/.385 with six homers and 20 RBI on the season.

Laureano has spent quite a bit of time as a leadoff man this season, but he’s earned a place at the bottom of the lineup with his .214/.293/.370 line and ugly 32 percent strikeout rate. Playing time has yet to turn into a big issue, in part because he’s clearly better defensively than the Padres’ alternative corner-outfield options (other than Bryce Johnson, who can’t hit). He’ll probably heat up again at some point, but he’s a tough mixed-league play right now.

Machado was removed from Monday’s game with a calf injury and sat out on Tuesday, but he’ll be right back out there on Wednesday. Miguel Andujar will play third again, while Nick Castellanos will start in left field and bat eighth, with Ramon Laureano getting a day off.

Laureano has a .290/.355/.551 slash line and Stammen praised the quality of his at-bats regardless of his spot in the order. With Laureano now locked into a job hitting in front of guys like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, his fantasy value is clearly on the rise.

Manager Craig Stammen said after the game that Laureano is going to stick in the leadoff spot for now, boosting his fantasy value. He’s been the Padres’ best hitting with a .290/.355/.551 line, four homers and three steals in 76 plate appearances.

Laureano blistered a two-run shot off Valente Bellozo for his fourth homer of the young season. He also scored a pair of runs, and the 31-year-old has looked very comfortable hitting at the top of the San Diego lineup. Fantasy managers may want to jump on the Laureano train now, there’s enough upside/previous production to believe he can be an effective option throughout 2026.

Laureano also drew two walks, and he also doubled. It’s the third homer of the season for the veteran outfielder, and he’s now the proud owner of an .833 OPS over the first 15 games of 2026. He continues to hit leadoff for a solid — if unspectacular — Padres’ lineup, and as long as he continues to show some pop and patience, he has a chance to help in a few categories this summer.