New Padres Infielder Sung Mun Song Injures Oblique, Sidelined For A Month

[Steve Drumwright]

The Sung Mun Song era with the San Diego Padres is off to an inauspicious beginning.

The South Korean infielder, who signed a four-year, $15 million contract with the Padres last month, sustained an oblique injury and is expected to need about four weeks to recover. Song was injured during a batting practice session as he prepared to make the jump from the Korean Baseball Organization to MLB this year.

It is not known when exactly Song was injured. The report revealing the injury said Song traveled to Yokohama, Japan, to be evaluated ahead of heading to Peoria, Arizona, for spring training.

While injuries are never good, the timing is. Song is expected to be back in action early in spring training, which opens in just a few weeks. The Friars will surely make sure Song is 100% before having him partake in daily drills. Based on the timeline, there is a possibility he will be ready for the Cactus League opener Feb. 20 vs. the Seattle Mariners. Barring any setbacks or if the injury is more severe than reported, he will be on the Opening Day roster.

The injury rules Song out of participating in the World Baseball Classic with South Korea. Rosters for the WBC must be set by Feb. 3, just over two weeks from now.

Song is expected to play a key role in the Padres' infield this season. While he doesn't have a starting position at the moment, the natural third baseman is expected to occasionally spell Manny Machado at the hot corner, while also seeing time at second base and first base. Currently, Jake Croenenworth and Gavin Sheets are the respective starters at those positions, so platooning is definitely an option. There is also a good chance he sees time in the outfield.

View full article