Chase Headley injury update: Calf strain cost Padres star at least two weeks

Staff report

Chase Headley injury update: Calf strain cost Padres star at least two weeks image

Pending tests Monday, Chase Headley will miss at least two weeks of San Diego Padres spring training. Reason: calf strain.

Headley is scheduled to have an MRI exam on his right calf on Monday. It's possible he could miss even more time depending on the results.

Two immediate reactions: Headley's injury comes early enough in spring training to benefit him and the Padres; and, questions must be asked about Headley's future with the team as he enters the final year of his contract. Headley turns 30 in May.

Manager Bud Black told media members he has four or five players in mind as a fill-in for Headley.

"From an evaluation standpoint it's good to see those guys. We know what chase can do," Black said. "Obviously players have to get ready for the season, but for the short term it will be good to get those guys exposed and they're up for it."

Black expected Alexi Amarista and Ryan Jackson, both on the Padres' 40-man roster, to get time at third base, along with non-roster invitee Alberto Gonzalez. Black also said that top prospect Jace Peterson, who has played a shortstop in the minors, volunteered to move over and spend a little time at third base while Headley recovers.

Injuries are a common problem for the Padres, who saw players miss 1,883 man-games in each of the past two seasons. Headley was among the stricken last season, losing time to hand and knee injuries. His spring was derailed by a broken thumb in mid-March.

If doctors find nothing more severe than a strain, Headley will have plenty of time to sharpen up in Cactus League games.

Last week, Headley admitted his contract situation might end his term with the Padres. His handlers and Padres brass are talking ahead of his walk year.

"Both sides understand where the other party's coming from and, frankly, respects where the other side is coming from," he said, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. "We're hoping at some point that we can come to common ground."

If they don't, which is a real possibility, Headley could be traded before the July 31 deadline.

Headley would benefit from a strong recovery this season. In 2012 he finished fifth in MVP voting after hitting .286 with 31 home runs. He also had an NL-best 115 RBIs. Last season's numbers: .262 with 12 homers and 64 RBIs.

He signed a one-year, $10.5 million contact in January.

Contributing: Associated Press

Staff report