Casey Mize Exits Early After Dugout Slip and Three Home Runs Allowed

Right-hander Casey Mize left Saturday's contest against the Minnesota Twins in the third inning following a right ankle sprain sustained on the dugout steps.

San Diego Padres right-hander Casey Mize exited Saturday night’s game against the Minnesota Twins with a sprained right ankle after recording two outs in the third inning. Before his departure, the starter surrendered three solo home runs across the first two frames of the contest. The injury occurred when Mize slipped while descending the steps into the dugout following the conclusion of the top of the second inning.

During his brief outing, Mize surrendered a leadoff home run to Luke Keaschall to open the game. In the second inning, he gave up back-to-back home runs to Brooks Lee and rookie Kaelen Culpepper with two outs. Despite the physical setback, the pitcher attempted to continue, throwing warmup pitches in the third inning under the supervision of manager Craig Stammen and a team trainer. He managed to secure two outs in the third and allowed a double to Ryan Jeffers before being replaced on the mound by Kyle Hart.

Details of the Dugout Incident

The injury was the result of a mechanical mishap on the stadium stairs rather than a pitching motion. Mize explained to reporters that his spike caught the edge of a step, causing him to lose his footing. He noted that he tried to catch himself but ultimately rolled his ankle on the bottom step. The Padres acquired the right-hander from the Detroit Tigers on Aug. 3 to bolster a rotation currently fighting for postseason positioning.

San Diego currently holds a 70-60 record, placing them in the National League's third wild-card spot. This standing keeps them two games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the playoff race. The team is now monitoring the status of their recent acquisition as they navigate a tight race in the standings during the final stretch of the season.

Recovery Outlook and Next Start

Mize expressed optimism regarding his recovery timeline, stating he hopes the sprain is a minor issue. He is currently slated to make his next start on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays. The pitcher confirmed that the training staff is already treating the ankle, noting that the team will utilize every available resource to ensure he is ready for his next scheduled appearance on the mound.

Medical personnel and the coaching staff evaluated Mize on the field during the third inning after he showed signs of discomfort. While he initially remained in the game to face three additional batters, the decision to lift him for Hart came after he yielded the extra-base hit to Jeffers. The Padres have not yet provided a definitive update on whether he will miss any time beyond the immediate exit from Saturday's matchup.

Statistical Impact and Roster Moves

The three solo shots allowed by Mize accounted for the bulk of the damage during his short tenure on the hill. Keaschall, Lee, and Culpepper each took the right-hander deep, with the latter two coming in consecutive plate appearances. Following the departure of Mize, the Padres bullpen was forced into early action, starting with Hart's entry with two outs in the third.

As the Padres (70-60) look to maintain their two-game lead over the Diamondbacks, the health of the starting rotation remains a primary focus. Mize, who has been with the club for less than three weeks following the trade with Detroit, is a key component of the staff's depth. The team will continue to evaluate the right-hander's mobility throughout the week leading up to the Friday series against Tampa Bay.