:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71184583/usa_today_18745855.0.jpg)
August 2 update: If Gore does take the mound again this season, it won’t be for the Padres. He was part of a package the Padres sent to the Nationals for Juan Soto. Gore’s injury concerns didn’t scare the Nationals, who hope to have the rising star back healthy eventually.
The San Diego Padres, considered frontrunners for Washington Nationals star Juan Soto, won’t have one of their biggest trade chips available to them. A report from San Diego Tribune-Union writer Kevin Acee suggests MacKenzie Gore, one of the team’s top trade chips, won’t pitch again this season. Gore went to the injured list Wednesday with elbow soreness.
Kevin Acee to @DSmithShow on Mackenzie Gore "He won't pitch again this season."
— Marty Caswell (@MartyCaswell) July 28, 2022
Gore felt the soreness in San Diego’s loss to the Detroit Tigers and while the team hasn’t said anything official yet, Acee’s comments aren’t a good sign. Gore has been a standout rookie for the Padres until late. In his first eight games this season, he was 3-1 with a 1.71 ERA. In the last eight, he’s gone 1-3 with a 8.68 ERA. Clearly, something has gone wrong and maybe this injury was part of it.
If Gore is truly done for the year, the Padres will likely lean on Mike Clevinger and Nick Martinez to take over in a starting role.