The Padres' spate of recent injuries expanded Thursday to include their most important player. First baseman Wil Myers left San Diego's Cactus League game against Kansas City with what the club described as neck tightness.
Batting in the bottom of the fourth, Myers reached on a fielding error. After he went to third base on a double by Hunter Renfroe, manager Andy Green went on the field and escorted Myers back to the dugout. The first baseman was replaced by pinch-runner Dusty Coleman.
Between the fourth and fifth innings, Myers left the stadium, walking alongside a team trainer.
In his first and only other at-bat Thursday, Myers struck out on a foul tip.
Even before Myers' exit, the afternoon had gotten off to a poor start for the Padres. Right-hander Trevor Cahill, who'd been scheduled to pitch four or five innings, lasted just 11/3, allowing seven runs, four earned, on five hits and a walk. Cahill threw 45 pitches, including 30 in the top of the second.
Cahill was relieved by right-hander Paul Clemens, who would be tagged for four runs over 32/3 innings. In the top of the fifth, for reasons that were not immediately clear, Green and a trainer paid Clemens a quick mound visit. Just moments after they returned to the dugout, Clemens surrendered a two-run homer to Alex Gordon. The pitcher would finish the inning.
