Luis Arraez underwent surgery on his left thumb after playing with a torn ligament for much of this season, the San Diego Padres infielder said on social media Wednesday. Arraez is expected to be ready for spring training.
“Today, I underwent surgery on my thumb after pushing through an injured half of the season,” Arraez wrote. “Despite the pain, I continued to play, but it became clear that surgery was necessary to fully recover. The procedure went smoothly, and I’m now focused on healing and getting back.”
Today, I underwent surgery on my thumb after pushing through an injured half of the season. Despite the pain, I continued to play, but it became clear that surgery was necessary to fully recover. The procedure went smoothly, and I’m now focused on healing and getting back🦾🙏🏽🚿 pic.twitter.com/pd1bP93N2d
— Luis Arraez (@Arraez_21) October 16, 2024
Arraez originally injured his thumb June 25 while sliding into third base on a triple. He sat out the next game before playing in 70 of the Padres’ final 77 regular-season contests and winning his third consecutive batting title. But Arraez also finished with his lowest wRC+ since 2021, and in the National League Division Series, he went 4-for-22 with four singles. The leadoff man did not score a run in the three games that preceded San Diego’s playoff exit.
Arraez had been advised during the All-Star break that he did not require in-season surgery. He said Friday, following the Padres’ elimination, that he would undergo an MRI to determine his next step with his injured thumb.
“I’ll be more strong (next) year,” Arraez said. “I’ll come back healthy, I’ll come back with more energy, because I want to play for only one team next year. I don’t know if they’ll trade me, but I want to play for only one team, and then I want to stay focused for only one team. I don’t want to think about a trade. I just want one team, the San Diego Padres, next year.”
The Padres acquired Arraez from the Miami Marlins in May, marking the second time he had been traded in 15 months. Predominantly a singles hitter with limited power and defensive prowess, he remains one of the most polarizing players in the game. The Marlins, when they dealt him to San Diego, agreed to pay the virtual remainder of his $10.6 million salary for 2024.
Arraez will be due a raise in 2025, his final year of arbitration eligibility. On most teams, he might be a prime candidate for yet another trade, and San Diego will have needs to address in its starting rotation, in left field and at catcher. The contact-oriented Padres, however, value Arraez’s combination of skills and intangibles, and the team is expected to consider a potential extension with the 27-year-old. Other extension candidates include center fielder Jackson Merrill and right-hander Michael King.
“Everybody knows this is business. I understand the business,” Arraez said last week. “But I hope I stay here for a long time.”
(Photo: Joe Camporeale / Imagn Images)
