Pham exits in 2nd inning with tight calf
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LOS ANGELES -- Tommy Pham's slow start to the season took another rough turn on Sunday night in Los Angeles.
The left fielder exited the Padres' 8-7 win over the Dodgers on Sunday in the second inning with left calf tightness. He is considered day to day.
Pham hit a ground ball to third base to end the top of the second and took two steps out of the batter's box before coming up hobbled. He quickly retreated to the clubhouse, alongside a team trainer, and he was replaced in the outfield by Jorge Mateo.
It's been a struggle for Pham, who is hitting just .172 with a .495 OPS. Lately, however, he'd shown signs of a possible breakout, with hits in four straight games, including a pinch-hit single on Saturday night.
Pham's Padres tenure has already been marred by injuries. He played only 31 games last season because of a handful of ailments -- including a fractured hamate bone in his left hand. He spent the offseason recovering from a wound he sustained during a scary stabbing incident, as well as surgery on his right wrist.
If Pham's absence lingers, the Padres have a readymade replacement in utility man Jurickson Profar, who filled in as the team's regular left fielder last season while Pham was out.
It would, however, thin the Padres' bench significantly if Profar were to be thrust into an everyday role. He's viewed as the team's primary backup at a handful of positions. Versatile No. 6 Padres prospect Tucupita Marcano -- who cracked the Opening Day roster but was recently optioned -- could be in line to be recalled if Pham hits the IL.
It was a bit curious that the Padres opted to use Jorge Mateo to replace Pham, instead of Wil Myers, who was out of the starting lineup on Sunday night. No reason was given for Myers' absence, but he's been dealing with tendinitis in his right knee.