Injuries & Moves: Padres call on veteran Ahmed
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Sept. 22: SS Nick Ahmed selected; SS Mason McCoy placed on 10-day IL; RHP Jhony Brito placed on 60-day IL (right elbow strain)
Ahmed -- a longtime division rival of the Padres with the Diamondbacks, Dodgers and Giants -- signed with San Diego on Aug. 31, the final day players could sign and still be eligible for the postseason roster. He has since been training at the team's complex in Peoria, Ariz. With McCoy landing on the injured list because of back inflammation, Ahmed will take over as the backup shortstop.
"Any time you join a team that's winning and in contention and got a chance to make the playoffs, play some games in October -- it's a lot of fun," said Ahmed, who posted a .571 OPS in 69 games between the Giants and Dodgers this season. "I had some other opportunities with different teams after the Dodgers let me go. I was obviously trying to target a team that had a chance to win and play in the playoffs. Thankfully, I'm here."
Xander Bogaerts remains the starter, having transitioned back to short with Ha-Seong Kim sidelined by a shoulder injury. It remains unclear whether Kim will return this season. He's yet to fully ramp up his throwing.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
SS Mason McCoy (back inflammation)
Expected return: Potentially October
McCoy is rehabbing at the team's Spring Training complex in Peoria, Ariz. He hadn't played since Sept. 14 while nursing the injury. McCoy would be eligible to return for the postseason roster. The Padres, however, recently selected Nick Ahmed to serve as their backup shortstop. (Last updated: Sept. 24)
SS Ha-Seong Kim (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: Late September or October
Kim sustained his injury diving back into first base on Aug. 18. His return hasn't gone as smoothly as the Padres hoped. He has been hitting at full capacity. But he hasn't been able to ramp up his throwing without feeling discomfort in his ailing shoulder. Kim has played catch, and he's made light throws across the diamond, but he's yet to fully unleash. It remains unclear if Kim will be able to return before the end of the regular season. (Last updated: Sept. 22)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Jhony Brito (right elbow strain)
Expected return: 2025
Brito hasn't pitched since Aug. 17 with Triple-A El Paso, and his first season with the Padres came to an official end on Sept. 22, when he landed on the 60-day IL. The club offered no details on Brito's status moving into the 2025 season. (Last updated: Sept. 22)
RHP Stephen Kolek (right elbow tendinitis)
Expected return: Possibly October
Kolek has been able to play catch, but as of Aug. 30, he had yet to throw off a mound. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on Sept. 1. Kolek, a Rule 5 Draft selection, has a 5.21 ERA in 42 appearances this season. He has been active for long enough this year that even if he were to miss the remainder of the season, he wouldn't be subject to any Rule 5 roster restrictions in 2025. (Last updated: Sept. 4)
RHP Luis Patiño (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: 2025
Patiño underwent Tommy John surgery on April 30, putting an end to his 2024 season before it began. The 24-year-old made two appearances in Spring Training before opening the season on the IL. The Padres, who originally signed Patiño as an amateur free agent before dealing him to Tampa Bay in the 2020 Blake Snell trade, claimed Patiño off waivers from the White Sox in December. (Last updated: May 1)