Padres News: Juan Soto Suffers Oblique Strain, Friars' Injury Woes Continue

Luckily, it seems to be a mild strain.

It appears the San Diego Padres will have even more roadblocks to face before they open their 2023 season against the Colorado Rockies on March 30. Two of their pitchers have already sustained some serious injuries in Joe Musgrove and Craig Stammen and their recovery timelines have not been set in stone. 

The Friars' Sunday match against the Chicago Cubs added two more players to their injury list. Starting catcher Austin Nola took a hard fastball directly to his nose and all signs point to it being broken. 

Padres' starting catcher Austin Nola just got (what appears to be) drilled in the face. pic.twitter.com/Dqc3F3iUsy

— Mickey Koke (@mickeykoke) March 19, 2023

To make matters worse, Juan Soto just re-joined the Padres in Peoria following his time in the WBC and immediately got hurt on Sunday as well. He was diagnosed with a left oblique strain that did not allow him to finish the match.

Even though it was listed as a mild one, the Padres' medical staff did not want to risk anything with their star outfielder. The injury was first reported by Kevin Acee of the San Diego-Union Tribune.

"Even before catcher Austin Nola was carted off the field with an

apparent broken nose

during a Cactus League game in Mesa, Ariz., left fielder Juan Soto had to cut short an appearance in a minor-league game at the Peoria Sports Complex with what has been initially diagnosed as a mild left oblique strain," said Acee."

(Via The San Diego-Union Tribune)

It's great to see San Diego taking the proper pre-cautions with Soto considering he was given no restrictions in his games with the Dominican Republic. He had just healed from a calf strain and now will likely take more time off to recover.

However, he's going to play a key role in what the Friars are trying to achieve this season and his health is of the utmost importance. He continued to display what he is known for best, the ability to rake, in the WBC with multiple home runs that flew past 400 feet and looks to continue that with his Padres squad.