Padres' Ramon Laureano Has Hip Surgery, Possibly Out For Season

[Steve Drumwright]

Are the San Diego Padres suddenly in more trouble than they were in?

It would seem so.

Outfielder Ramon Laureano had surgery on his right hip and labrum and his return to the Padres this season is in question. Laureano was transferred from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL to accommodate other moves.

Those included right-handed reliever Jeremiah Estrada going on the 15-day IL with inflammation in his right knee. Right-handed reliever David Morgan was called up from Triple-A El Paso. Also, right-hander Jhony Brito, out since spring training of last year after having right UCL and flexor tendon surgery, was activated off the 60-day IL and optioned to Triple-A San Antonio.

And finally, as a formality, outfielder Nick Castellanos, who had been designated for assignment Wednesday, cleared waivers and was released.

Laureano, set to be a free agent this offseason, missed Sunday's game against the Washington Nationals and went on the 15-day IL Tuesday with what was called right hip inflammation. He got off to a quick start offensively, peaking at a .292/.352/.569 slash line with four homers and 10 RBIs April 15, often batting leadoff. But his production went down from there and is currently at .203/.286/.374 with seven homers and 21 RBIs.

Estrada, a key part of the Friars' bullpen, has a 3.59 FIP (3.58 ERA) in 21 appearances and 20⅔ innings, with a 12.2% walk rate and 28% strikeout rate. He last appeared in a game Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies, getting one out but allowing a run on a hit and a walk before being taken out.

Brito made his final rehab start Thursday for the Double-A San Antonio Missions, going five innings and throwing 58 pitches, giving up one run on three hits with no walks and two strikeouts. He had a 1.96 ERA in his four starts at Double-A, including throwing just 110 pitches over his last 11 innings. He walked six and struck out 17 in 24⅓ innings with a 3.33 ERA when factoring in his two rehab starts in the Arizona Complex League.

Brito was injured in spring training last year and had surgery in April. His UCL procedure was an internal brace, allowing for a faster return to action than Tommy John surgery. He was in a relief role in 2024, appearing in 26 games and 43⅔ innings, with a 5.4% walk rate and 15.7% strikeout rate.

Morgan was on the Opening Day roster, but has struggled to repeat the success of his rookie year of 2025. Morgan compiled a 6.08 ERA in 11 appearances before being sent down to Triple-A on April 30. He walked 11 and struck out 15 in 13⅓ innings before his demotion. While the ERA was worse in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, Morgan walked just two and struck out 11 in his 10⅓ innings over 10 appearances.

The Padres called up outfielder Jase Bowen and infielder-outfielder Samad Taylor this week as replacements for Laureano and Castellanos. The Padres entered Friday's action with the worst batting average (.216) and worst OPS (.651) in MLB. Their batting average is 12 points worse than the next two teams, the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.

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