Padres batting champ Luis Arraez (thumb) undergoes surgery

Field Level Media|published: Wed 16th October, 20:42 2024

Jun 25, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Luis Arraez (4) slides into third base safely past Washington Nationals third baseman Nick Senzel (13) after hitting a triple during the fifth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images

National League batting champion Luis Arraez of the San Diego Padres said he underwent surgery on his left thumb Wednesday to repair a torn ligament.

Arraez said he played through the injury for the entire second half of the season. He injured it June 25 against the Washington Nationals on a headfirst slide into third base on a triple.

"Today, I underwent surgery on my thumb after pushing through an injured half of the season," Arraez wrote on social media from a hospital bed. "Despite the pain, I continued to play, but it became clear that surgery was necessary to fully recover. The procedure went smoothly, and I'm now focused on healing and getting back to full strength."

Arraez batted .314 this season while winning his third consecutive batting title. He is the first person to win three straight titles with three different teams -- he won the American League crown in 2022 with the Minnesota Twins and also won the NL title with the Miami Marlins in 2023.

Arraez, 27, had 200 hits this season, his second straight year reaching the milestone. He also had four homers, 24 doubles and 41 RBIs in 150 games between the Padres (117) and Marlins (33).

San Diego acquired Arraez from the Marlins for four minor leaguers in early May.

In 2022, Arraez batted .316 for the Twins and .354 for Miami in 2023.

Overall, Arraez has a .323 average and 28 homers and 247 RBIs in 686 career games over six seasons with the Twins (2019-22), Marlins (2023-24) and Padres.

--Field Level Media

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