Full Breakdown
Randy Vasquez’s Fainting Highlights Padres’ Pitching Woes
7/3/2026, 1:28:28 PM
The Collapse and Hospital Transfer
Randy Vasquez, the San Diego Padres right-hander, fainted while walking to an X-ray after a 99 mph comebacker struck his right ankle in the first inning of Thursday’s game versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was taken to a local hospital for precautionary tests, regained consciousness, and was reported in stable condition. The Padres lost 12-7 after surrendering a 6-0 lead.
Pitching Struggles Leading Up to the Incident
The fainting came amid a historic slump for San Diego’s rotation. In the last six games the staff allowed 66 runs—the most in a six-game stretch in franchise history—while posting a 10.48 ERA and giving up 17 homers. No starter has completed five innings, and the team has lost six straight, slipping to 43-43 and three games behind the National League wild-card.
Key Personnel
Randy Vasquez entered the season with a 4.71 ERA over 84 innings and a 1-3 record since June, posting an 8.37 ERA in recent outings. Manager Craig Stammen directs the rotation and bullpen. Catcher Freddy Fermin exited after a foul tip struck his mask and was evaluated for concussion. The Dodgers, now leading the NL West by 13 games, were the opponent.
Official Statements & Responses
Stammen said Vasquez collapsed while heading for an X-ray and was taken to the emergency room as a precaution. He expects test results “hopefully tonight and tomorrow” and stressed monitoring Vasquez’s ankle. Stammen also warned that the bullpen’s workload is a major concern, citing his own experience with overtaxed relievers.
Criticism & Concerns
Stammen called the bullpen’s strain the “biggest worry,” noting that repeated short outings could erode reliever effectiveness. The rotation’s inability to pitch beyond five innings has forced the bullpen into extended roles, raising doubts about durability and the team’s ability to stay competitive in the playoff race.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources confirm Vasquez’s fainting on the way to imaging, but none provide a medical diagnosis or the precise cause of the loss of consciousness. Details on the ankle injury’s severity and any concussion assessment for Freddy Fermin remain unavailable.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He was on his way to get an X-ray here in the stadium and fainted,” — Craig Stammen
- “So we took him to the emergency room just as a precaution. He’s conscious. He’s getting all his tests done.” — Craig Stammen
- “It’s my biggest worry, because I lived it,” — Craig Stammen
- “I know what that was like, and I know how we were feeling at the end of the season. … My job as a manager is to try to protect the bullpen in that way, so they are a strength for the entire season, not just in May and June.” — Craig Stammen
What’s Next
Vasquez will undergo further medical evaluation to determine his ankle condition and the cause of the fainting. The Padres must decide whether to adjust the rotation or lean more on the bullpen as they approach the season’s final stretch and chase a wild-card berth.
