Padres utility man Rengifo leaves game with non-contact knee injury

San Diego's Luis Rengifo was carted off the field Saturday after collapsing with an apparent non-contact lower-leg injury during a game against Tampa Bay. Trainers examined his right knee for several minutes before he was helped onto the cart, unable to put weight on the leg. Rengifo had been a key contributor for the Padres since joining in July, batting .291 with four home runs in 38 games.

EXPANDED:

Rengifo's injury occurred in the bottom of the seventh inning after he committed a throwing error and then collapsed while attempting to move. Trainers spent several minutes examining his right knee before he was helped onto the cart, unable to bear weight on the leg. Teammates knelt on the field as he was taken off with a towel covering his face.

The utility player joined San Diego in July after being released by Milwaukee, where he had signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal. In 38 games with the Padres, he hit .291 with four home runs and 17 RBIs while playing second base, third base, and left field. Manager Craig Stammen had recently credited Rengifo with providing a