Padres Lose Laureano to Fractured Finger, Out for Wildcard Round

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres lost 3-1 to the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday and learned they will be without outfielder Ramón Laureano for at least the first round of the playoffs after he fractured the index finger on his right hand, manager Mike Shildt said. Laureano was removed early in the game after appearing to injure his hand while fouling off a pitch and will miss the wildcard series, Shildt added, though he left open the possibility of a later return.

Laureano, acquired at the July trade deadline, has been a primary contributor to the Padres offense this season. Since arriving from Baltimore he has hit nine homers with 30 RBIs and is slashing .271/.325/.492 during that stretch; his overall season line stands at .282/.343/.514 with 24 homers and 76 RBIs. Shildt described the injury plainly: "It's a fracture. So I want to temper expectations but I also want to keep everything on the table. But I wouldn't expect to see him early in the playoffs but I would hold out hope for later."

The loss and Laureano's injury complicate San Diego's final preparations for the postseason. The Padres clinched a playoff spot Monday, but their exact standing shifted amid a busy stretch:...