The San Diego Padres are heading into the All-Star break with a couple of positive injury updates on catcher Freddy Fermin and right-hander Matt Waldron. Neither guy is back in the big leagues yet, but both have cleared important hurdles.
Fermin has been out since July 2 when a foul ball smacked him square in the mask during a game against the Dodgers. That put him on the 10-day injured list with a head contusion the next day. This wasn’t his first concussion-related absence either. He already missed time in June while on the concussion IL. The encouraging part? He’s cleared concussion protocol this time around.
The Padres’ official injury tracker updated his status on July 10: he started a rehab stint with Triple-A El Paso on July 8 and has already played in games down there. His expected return is listed as late July or August. But the fact that he’s back on the field is the main takeaway here.
Waldron Working His Way Back
Matt Waldron has been on the shelf since mid-May with a right brachialis strain. That’s a muscle issue near the biceps, and it’s kept him out for two months now. He’s been on a rehab assignment with El Paso and has made five appearances there. The numbers look solid: a 2.40 ERA over those outings.
The question with Waldron is less about health and more about role. He’s started games and worked out of the bullpen before. The Padres haven’t said how they plan to use him once he’s activated. Given the way their pitching staff has been banged up, having a guy who can do either is a nice problem to have.
MLB’s tracker notes he could be nearing a return, but it’s unclear whether he’ll slot into the rotation or pitch in relief. That decision probably depends on what San Diego needs when he’s ready.
Neither player has a firm activation date. Fermin still needs to finish his rehab assignment, and Waldron’s timeline is hazy. But entering the break, both guys are trending in the right direction. For a Padres team that’s dealt with injuries all over the roster, that’s genuinely good news.
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