Phillies' Brandon Marsh Suffers Finger Injury, Outfield Depth Concerns Loom Brandon Marsh exited Tuesday night’s game against the Padres with a right middle finger sprain after diving back to first base on a pickoff play to end the first inning. The injury occurred while Marsh was wearing a sliding mitt only on his left hand, which is not typically the lead hand for sliding into a base. Despite the injury, Marsh initially stayed in the game, collecting his second hit of the night in the top of the third before exiting in the middle of the fourth. The Phillies secured a 4-3 victory at Petco Park, with interim manager Don Mattingly describing the injury as day-to-day. “It’s kind of going to be day to day,” Mattingly said after the game. “Sounded like they thought he was going to be sore [Wednesday]. We’ll see what happens. He may come in here great.” Marsh plans to adjust his approach moving forward, stating he will use a double in future games to avoid similar situations. “I’m gonna go double now,” Marsh said. “That’s the plan. … Probably ride with double until the end of the season.” Adolis García, who had a day off due to a recent offensive slump, replaced Marsh in right field. While the Phillies are optimistic Marsh will be ready for Wednesday’s series finale, the team may give him the day off to ensure full recovery, especially with a Thursday off-day providing extra time for recovery ahead of the weekend’s showdown with the Dodgers. The Phillies’ outfield depth is severely limited, with only García in right field and Justin Crawford in center field as viable options. If Marsh is unavailable, left field will likely be managed by a combination of Edmundo Sosa, Felix Reyes, Otto Kemp, and Garrett Stubbs. The offensive production from these players has been minimal, with combined slash lines of .205/.271/.305 (.#phillies #petco_park #adolis_garcia #brandon_marsh #don_mattingly
Padres Walk Off Rockies in 12th-Inning Thriller as Bogaerts' Grand Slam Secures Victory The San Diego Padres secured a dramatic 7-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies in a 12-inning marathon at Petco Park on Thursday night, marking their first extra-innings game of the 2026 season and the debut of new manager Craig Stammen. The game, which stretched past midnight, was decided by a walk-off grand slam from shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who launched a 1-0 pitch into the left field bleachers to send the Friar Faithful into a frenzy. The win not only gave the Padres a series lead but also provided a triumphant start for Stammen, who took over the managerial role earlier in the season. The pivotal moment came in the bottom of the 12th inning, when Bogaerts delivered the game-winning drive after a sequence of strategic plays. With runners on first, second, and third, the Rockies had issued intentional walks to Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado to avoid a potential double play. However, the decision backfired when Jake Cronenworth, who had reached third base on a Fernando Tatis Jr. sacrifice bunt, was forced to make a game-saving throw to the plate. Cronenworth fielded a ground ball from Brenton Doyle and quickly threw to Luis Campusano at home plate, tagging out Willi Castro to keep the score tied at 3-3. The Rockies’ relief pitcher, Valente Bellozo, then retired the next batter, Kyle Karros, on a groundout to Bogaerts at shortstop, loading the bases for the Padres’ offense. Bogaerts’ grand slam came on the first pitch of the 12th inning, a 1-0 offering that landed deep in the left field bleachers. The home run not only ended the game but also highlighted Bogaerts’ clutch performance throughout the contest.#san_diego_padres #craig_stammen #petco_park #colorado_rockies #xander_bogaerts
Xander Bogaerts hits grand slam in 12th for Padres' first walk-off win SAN DIEGO -- Xander Bogaerts delivered a walk-off grand slam in the 12th inning, propelling the San Diego Padres to a 7-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Petco Park. The win marked the Padres’ first walk-off triumph in nearly five years, ending a prolonged stretch of high-stakes games that had tested the team’s resilience. Bogaerts’ dramatic home run not only secured the win but also cemented his status as a clutch performer for the franchise, adding to his growing legacy as a key contributor to the team’s success. The game, which stretched into the 12th inning, was the longest at Petco Park since 2019, underscoring the intensity of the matchup. Bogaerts’ grand slam came after a strategic decision by the Rockies to walk Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado, opting to face the right-handed hitter with the bases loaded. The move was intended to avoid a potential threat, but it backfired spectacularly. Bogaerts, known for his power and ability to capitalize on high-pressure situations, turned on a fastball from Valente Bellozo, sending the ball soaring into the left-field seats. The blast not only ended the game but also marked the first walk-off grand slam in Padres history since Manny Machado’s iconic home run in August 2020, which had launched the “Slam Diego” moniker into the mainstream. The dramatic finish was preceded by a series of pivotal plays that kept the game alive. In the top of the 12th, Jake Cronenworth made a critical defensive stop to thwart a potential go-ahead run. The play began with a sharp ground ball hit by the Rockies’ Willi Castro, which Cronenworth fielded backhanded.#manny_machado #san_diego_padres #petco_park #colorado_rockies #xander_bogaerts
Jackson Merrill Sends Message After Padres Opening Day Decision The San Diego Padres entered the 2026 season with cautious optimism, despite a relatively quiet offseason shaped by financial constraints. The team’s hopes for success in the coming year are largely tied to its offensive lineup, which features several All-Star players, including center fielder Jackson Merrill. At 22 years old, Merrill remains one of the club’s most vital young talents, and his future with the franchise is now firmly secured after signing a nine-year, $135 million contract extension in April 2025. The deal has already proven to be a strong foundation for the Padres, as Merrill has exceeded expectations even during a challenging 2025 season. Despite facing injuries throughout the year, Merrill managed a .264 batting average, .317 on-base percentage, .774 OPS, 16 home runs, and 67 RBIs in 115 games. His performance underscores his value as a cornerstone of the Padres’ offense, and the team views his health as critical to achieving its goals in 2026. The club believes that a fully recovered Merrill will be essential to maximizing its potential, especially as it aims to build on its recent success and compete for a postseason berth. The Padres wrapped up spring training on Tuesday, setting the stage for the start of the 2026 MLB season. Their home opener against the Detroit Tigers will take place on Thursday at Petco Park, marking the beginning of a three-game series. The team’s decision on its Opening Day starter was announced on Monday, with the choice between Michael King and Nick Pivetta ultimately favoring the latter. Pivetta’s selection makes sense given his dominant performance in his first season with the Padres. In 2025, he posted a 2.87 ERA across 31 starts, striking out 190 batters in 181 2/3 innings.#san_diego_padres #nick_pivetta #michael_king #jackson_merrill #petco_park
