San Diego first base empty…Choi still far from returning “mid-September target” FA bad news

San Diego Padres infielder Ji-Man Choi, 32, will need a little more time to return.

MLB.com, the official San Diego Padres website, updated the injury report on Monday (Nov. 31). Choi has yet to return to the field after being placed on the disabled list with a left rib sprain on Nov. 15.

According to MLB.com, Choi began swinging at the end of the month and is targeting a mid-September return.

Choi came to San Diego from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a two-player trade on July 2, along with their oldest pitcher, Rich Hill. He has drawn five walks in seven games since the trade, but has yet to record his first hit in 11 at-bats.

San Diego is without starting first baseman Jake Cronenwirth due to injury. He fractured his right wrist in the ninth inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 26 when he was hit by Andrew Shaffin’s sinker. He is unlikely to return for the remainder of the season, opening up a spot at first base for San Diego.

Right-handed first baseman Garrett Cooper, acquired from the Miami Marlins at the trade deadline, has been getting more starts at first base lately after serving as a pinch-hitter and designated hitter.

If Choi hadn’t gotten injured, he would have gotten the opportunity, but his absence is getting longer. He’ll be out for at least a month, which will hurt him in free agency after the season. 안전놀이터

Choi has been battling injuries all season. In Pittsburgh, he spent two and a half months on the disabled list in mid-April with a sprained left Achilles tendon. Overall this season, Choi is just 1-for-15 (84 RBI) with six home runs, 11 RBI, and a .680 OPS in 30 games. His on-base percentage (.440) is his highest since 2019 (.459), but his overall hitting productivity is down.

With fall baseball a distant memory, San Diego has just 28 games remaining. The final game of the regular season is on October 2 against the Chicago White Sox. Even if Choi returns in mid-September, he won’t have much time to show his value as a free agent.