Chase Headley's injury may leave the Padres looking for answers. (Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports)
SAN DIEGO — Third baseman Chase Headley was out of the San Diego Padres’ lineup Wednesday night with what was described as a mild strain of his right biceps muscle.
Even though Headley is off to a terrible start in his pre-free agency season, any hint of an injury to Headley raises concerns for the Padres.
San Diego’s weakest position in terms of depth is third base — unless the club wants to move Jedd Gyorko back to third and try to find a replacement at second base.
“Third base is not an easy position to fill,” manager Bud Black said Wednesday. “All across baseball, there’s a lack of depth at third.”
For the second time this season, infielder/outfielder Alexi Amarista started at third for the Padres on Wednesday night. He went 1-for-2 with a walk and scored twice in San Diego’s 4-2 win over the Colorado Rockies, but he made a throwing error in his first start at the position. Amarista lacks the arm to be a regular at the position.
At the moment, Amarista is the only utility infielder on the Padres’ 25-man roster. The Padres best Triple-A option, Ryan Jackson, is on the disabled list with a wrist injury that could require surgery.
That explains why first baseman Yonder Alonso, who played third in high school, was taking ground balls at third Wednesday afternoon. Black said catcher Yasmani Grandal might soon be fielding grounders at third, too. For the moment, Gyorko isn’t moving from second, although the Padres’ most advanced middle-infield prospect at the moment might be second baseman Cory Spangenberg.
As for Headley, who is eligible for free agency at the end of this season, he is hitting .160 (8-for-50) and has committed four errors. He has two doubles, a homer and four RBIs.
