Xander Bogaerts's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

San Diego Padres second baseman Xander Bogaerts (shoulder) is ready to embark on a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso later this week. Bogaerts had a "favorable report" on his most recent CT scan, manager Mike Shildt said before Tuesday's game against the defending-champion Texas Rangers, and the team agrees that he's just about ready to be cleared for game action. While Shildt also added that Bogaerts still carries no timeline for a return to the Padres, the infielder is still aiming for a return to the big-league club before the All-Star break, possibly for the team's series against the Atlanta Braves that begins July 12 at Petco Park. Bogaerts will likely spend between a week and 10 days in the minors before rejoining San Diego's infield, but this development in his recovery from a fractured left shoulder is the cue for fantasy managers to make sure the 31-year-old five-time Silver Slugger isn't lingering around any waiver wires.

San Diego Padres second baseman Xander Bogaerts (shoulder) took batting practice on the field on Wednesday before the series finale against the visiting Washington Nationals, a notable step in his recovery from a fractured left shoulder. It's good news for Bogaerts, who suffered his injury in late May, but there's still no specific timetable for his return. One thing that is clear is that the 31-year-old veteran infielder won't be back until sometime after the All-Star break in mid-July, and he may not be activated from the 10-day injured list until August, depending on how quickly he can ramp up his baseball activities and how long of a minor-league rehab assignment he'll need. When Bogaerts is able to return, Jake Cronenworth will likely return to first base and Luis Arraez will become the regular designated hitter once again in San Diego.

San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (shoulder) resumed baseball activity in mid-June, running the bases, taking light grounders, and doing one-handed drills in the batting cage. Bogaerts is still undergoing regular imaging before he gets clearance to begin ramping up, and although there's still no timetable for his build-up toward a return, Bogaerts expects to begin full batting practice soon and believes he can be back playing in early July. The 31-year-old star infielder appears to be making swift progress in his recovery from a fractured left shoulder, and his optimism means he has a shot to rejoin the Padres sometime around mid-July's All-Star break. Even though Bogaerts was batting a poor .219 (41-for-187) with four home runs, 14 RBI, 23 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 47 contests before getting hurt, he should be stashed in most fantasy leagues.