Luis Arraez has been enjoying an explosive season for the San Diego Padres, and is one of the biggest difference-makers in the team’s blazing campaign at this point. Now, after being carted off in their clash with the Houston Astros, it seems that morale is expected to be affected without him – and so is their pace heading into the next games.

Arraez was brought to the Houston Methodist Hospital after his collision with second baseman Mauricio Dubon at first base. Fans at the Daikin Park were not expecting that kind of incident, and it is safe to say that it was a scary sight that derailed much of the Padres’ game plan but still managed to eke out a victory.

As one of the catalysts for the Padres’ hot run to the early games of the season, Arraez at the designated hitter spot has been really fun to watch. Considering that he would be likely missing out on some games moving forward, it is expected that the star’s absence should put a dent in San Diego’s winning chances now more than ever.

A Goosebumpy Incident

Arraez put up a sacrifice bunt attempt in the second play of the game against the Astros, and that fielded on the right side of the infield by Astros first baseman Christian Walker. However, Dubon was also pacing fast to take Walker’s throw with the hopes of beating Arraez to the spot. He did record the putout, but he also zeroed in on Arraez’s chin with his elbow.

That play drew a lot of gasps, and even players and staff on both dugouts had to see it for themselves. Padres manager Mike Shildt looked on and even saw how his designated hitter laid on the field as he was attended by the medical staff. The game had to be delayed for 11 minutes, before Arraez was carted off while his head and neck were secured by a brace.

“That was very scary,” Shildt said of Arraez’s status. “We don’t see those kind of collisions in our sport a whole lot. Luis is a really really tough guy and to see him down like that you know something is pretty serious. Took a pretty good blow. Sounds like he’s stable now, has feeling in his extremities. Is alert, aware of what took place which is clearly good.

Fortunately, Arraez did give a thumbs up to the crowd while he was taken off the field, passing by the gate in the right-field corner. The Padres went on to secure the 3-2 win, but it is clear that there’s a bigger worry about how they are going to move forward with Arraez definitely missing some time off the team.

Missing Arraez’s Impact

Heading into the game, Arraez was hitting at .287 for the Padres and was even batting .338 in his last 17 games – which is a good note of consistency so far after he started the season 1-18. He has been a batting champion in each of the last three seasons, and missing him out is definitely not a good look for San Diego.

The Padres, who are still atop the MLB league standings, dropped the first two games of their triple-header showdown versus the Astros. It is expected that Arraez will not be traveling with the team en route to their showdown with the Detroit Tigers.

San Diego will then host the Rays and the Giants to wrap up its April schedule, and fans and critics alike are hoping to see a speedy recovery from Arraez while the club also looks for some alternatives on its roster.