The San Diego Padres activated three-time batting champion Luis Arraez from the seven-day concussion list prior to their Tuesday home game against the San Francisco Giants.
The Padres also activated outfielder Jason Heyward from the 10-day injured list, designated veteran first baseman Yuli Gurriel for assignment and placed infielder Mason McCoy on the IL with a dislocated left finger.
Arraez batted second and went 1-for-3 with an RBI in San Diego’s 7-4 victory over San Francisco. Heyward was in the No. 8 hole and went 2-for-4 with a run.
Arraez was injured against Houston on April 20 when he was involved in a violent collision with the Astros’ Mauricio Dubon. He was carted off the field, taken to a Houston hospital and then placed on the concussion list the following day.
Arraez, who owns a .322 career average, was thrilled to be back in action.
“I just get to play baseball, man,” Arraez told reporters. “That’s what I love.”
Arraez, 28, is batting .289 with three homers and eight RBIs in 23 games this season. He won the 2022 American League batting title with the Minnesota Twins and the 2023 National League crown with the Miami Marlins. He won last season’s title while splitting time with the Marlins (33 games) and Padres (117).
Heyward, 35, is returning from left knee inflammation. He had last played on April 16. After Tuesday, he is hitting .217 with one homer and six RBIs in 18 games.
“Hate to miss time,” said Heyward, “but it’s good to have the chance to get right.”
Gurriel, who turns 41 in June, was just 4-for-36 (.111) in 16 games for the Padres. He was the 2021 AL batting champ for the Astros.
“We’ve moved on from Yuli, which hurts,” San Diego manager Mike Shildt said. “(Gurriel) was quite a pro. We enjoyed every moment he was here. It’s just a decision we made with guys coming off (the IL).”
McCoy, 30, was hitless in five at-bats over four games for San Diego.
The Padres still have two other starting players on the IL in star second-year outfielder Jackson Merrill (hamstring strain) and second baseman Jake Cronenworth (fractured rib).