Padres’ Cameron Maybin to undergo MRI on shoulder

One of the biggest issues plaguing the San Diego Padres last year was a rash of injuries to both position players and pitchers. This year, the problems started early.

Center fielder Cameron Maybin was playing hard in the Sunday Spring Training game against the Dodgers. Juan Uribe laced a drive destined for the right-center field gap and would have had a double if not for the ‘Superman’ dive of Maybin. Maybin hit the turf hard and appeared shaken up but able to stay in the game.

The next batter, projected starting second baseman Alexander Guerrero lined a base hit up the middle, which Cameron fielded, but after he got the ball back in, he doubled over in pain, clutching at his left shoulder. He was promptly removed from the game.

Now, according to Corey Brock of MLB.com, the 26-year old could miss significant time with what General Manager Josh Byrnes says is a ‘fairly serious injury.’  This would be a serious detriment to a man who suffered through injuries to his wrist and knee and missed practically all of last season. Will Venable saw most of the time at the 8-spot, playing in 80 games, and if Maybin misses a significant amount of time, he figures to be the man to fill in. Carlos Quentin, Chris Denorfia, Carlos Quentin, and trade acquisition Seth Smith could also play center.

Maybin’s last full season came in 2012 when he played in 147 games. During that time, he hit .243/.306/.349.