# The Padres' Best Power Bat Is Stuck in a Boot

> Gavin Sheets found his career in San Diego, then plantar fasciitis put it on hold with October in sight.
- Title: The Padres' Best Power Bat Is Stuck in a Boot | Shortify
- Summary: Gavin Sheets found his career in San Diego, then plantar fasciitis put it on hold with October in sight. San Diego's offense has survived without Sheets, but…
- Keywords: mlb, padres, injuries, gavin sheets, wild card, sports, Padres', Best, Power, Bat, Stuck, Boot
- Source: San Diego Padres On SI — https://si.com/mlb/padres/onsi/padres-slugger-could-undergo-surgery-lingering-foot-injury
- Published: 2026-09-11T18:42:31+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: mlb, padres, injuries, gavin sheets, wild card, sports
## A bright spot goes down
Gavin Sheets was one of the few Padres hitters worth watching this season until an Aug. 30 trip to the injured list with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
## Sixteen homers, then nothing
Splitting time at first base and in left field, the left-handed hitter had 16 home runs and was tracking toward the 19 he hit in 2025.
## Surgery is on the table
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports Sheets still has not returned and may need surgery once the season ends.
## Out of the boot, briefly
He wore a walking boot until Wednesday, when he stepped into the box to track pitches during Michael King's bullpen session. The boot went right back on afterward.
## Even a return comes with the boot
Acee notes Sheets may have to keep wearing the boot between appearances even after he is activated, and there is no guarantee that happens this year.
## The offense woke up anyway
San Diego's .309 wOBA ranked 24th in MLB the day Sheets hit the IL. Since then the club sits at .328, 11th of 30 teams, while chasing a National League wild card.
## Merrill filled the void
Jackson Merrill's .978 OPS this month gave the Padres the left-handed masher they had been missing, easing the need for Sheets' thump against right-handed starters.
## Nobody else hits for power
Luis Rengifo's season-ending August injury left Sung-Mun Song and Dustin Harris in the mix, and they have one home run between them in 149 plate appearances.

> The one thing Sheets does best, hit for power, is the one thing his replacements lack.
## A career year on pause
After four flat seasons in Chicago, Sheets hit 19 homers with 71 RBIs for San Diego in 2025. Now the Padres need that bat back before the foot forces a decision.
## Key takeaway

San Diego's offense has survived without Sheets, but nobody left on the roster replaces his power, and surgery may be waiting for him after the season.