Knee surgery to sideline Padres’ Franmil Reyes 4 to 8 weeks

Franmil Reyes will have surgery Thursday morning to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, the Padres announced Wednesday night. His four- to eight-week recovery window is expected to have him ready for the start of spring training.

The 23-year-old Reyes was riding an 11-game hitting streak in the Dominican Republic’s winter league when right knee discomfort popped up after rounding first and stopping abruptly on a throw from the outfield. After about a week off, Reyes returned to San Diego this week for further evaluation.

Reyes had paired a .444/.510/.689 batting line with three homers and six RBIs in 13 games for Escogido.

He finished a breakout rookie campaign with the Padres with 16 homers, 52 RBIs and a .280/.340/.498 batting line in 87 games in the majors.

His emergence, along with Hunter Renfroe’s, is one reason the Padres are said to be shopping their outfielders – including Wil Myers – this offseason, although it may prove more difficult to move a hobbled Reyes.

Manuel Margot is the favorite to start in center field, although he could draw fierce competition from Franchy Cordero as he returns from his elbow injury.

Myers, Renfroe and Reyes are the leading candidates for the corner outfield spots and Travis Jankowski will enter camp as a bench option.

A seventh outfielder, Edward Olivares, was added to the 40-man roster last week but has not played above A-ball.

Padres Videos

×

On Now

Padres pitcher Chris Paddack on start vs. Mariners and possibility of making rotation

On Now

Padres manager Andy Green on Machado joining his roster

jeff.sanders@sduniontribune.com; Twitter: @sdutSanders