After recovering from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb, Luis Arraez has arrived at Padres spring training feeling rejuvenated and fully ready for the season. The injury had hampered him throughout the previous season, but Arraez is now free of discomfort and optimistic about what’s to come.
For Arraez, the offseason was a rare chance for a mental and physical reset. He spent a week in Paris with his wife, taking a break from his usual winter routine. “I always feel like I need to work, but this year, I needed to open my mind and do something different,” he said, reflecting on his vacation to the French capital.
While that brief respite allowed him to refresh, Arraez quickly returned to work after surgery, focusing on strengthening his legs and resuming his swing by mid-January. Now, after several days of live batting practice, he’s feeling confident—especially given that his thumb no longer causes him any issues.
The impact of his thumb injury last season had been significant, even if Arraez downplayed it publicly. He couldn’t fully execute his signature inside-out swing, and getting jammed during at-bats was painful. However, this year, he feels “like [he] got a new thumb,” confident that his full range of motion is back.
Arraez, known for his ability to make contact rather than hit for power, continues to defy conventional metrics. While his batting average of .314 and .738 OPS in 2024 weren’t his best, he’s aiming for an even more productive 2025 season. When healthy, Arraez is a formidable force at the plate.
Padres manager Mike Shildt expressed admiration for Arraez’s resilience last season, noting his ability to win a batting title despite the injury. “How he won a batting title basically without a thumb for the last six weeks was beyond impressive,” Shildt said. “Now, he looks healthy. Watch out.”
Despite some trade rumors circulating this offseason, Arraez remains focused on his role with the Padres. “I don’t pay attention to that,” Arraez said. “I’m here to play baseball and try to win a World Series.”
Entering his final season before free agency, Arraez is slated to earn $14 million in 2025. While no formal extension discussions have taken place yet, both Arraez and the Padres are open to the possibility of keeping him in San Diego beyond this season. Padres general manager A.J. Preller affirmed the team’s high regard for Arraez, stating, “We’d love to have him here. We’ll see how it plays out.”
Arraez, with his thumb fully healed and his mindset refreshed, is poised for another productive season in 2025.
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