Profar Exits Game After Being Hit by Pitch

– San Diego Padres All-Star left fielder Jurickson Profar exited Wednesday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after sustaining an injury from a pitch. In the sixth inning, Profar was hit just below his right knee by a fastball from Pirates pitcher Hunter Stratton. Although he initially remained in the game, he later hobbled to second base after advancing on a single by teammate Xander Bogaerts. Following a visit from manager Mike Shildt and a trainer, Profar was replaced by pinch runner Ha-Seong Kim. The decision to remove him from the game raised concerns about the severity of the injury, as Profar had been performing exceptionally well this season. Profar, who signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Padres in the offseason, entered the game boasting a .302 batting average, 19 home runs, and a National League-leading .395 on-base percentage over 112 games. His impressive performance this season earned him a spot in the All-Star Game last month, marking his first selection in his 11-year career, where he also had the honor of being a starter. The Padres will be closely monitoring Profar's condition as they continue their season, hoping for a swift recovery for the key player. His contributions have been vital to the team's success, and his absence could impact their performance moving forward.