Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Aiming to beat return timeframe
Rotowire
Cronenworth (ribs) took groundballs, worked on change of direction, played catch and took dry swings Friday, and he's optimistic that he can return ahead of his initial 4-to-6 week return timeframe, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Cronenworth landed on the IL on April 11 due to a non-displaced right rib fracture. Though such an injury typically takes 4-to-6 weeks to heal, it's possible that the veteran infielder could return before the fracture totally heals, and Padres manager Mike Shildt suggested Friday that such a scenario would be dependent on Cronenworth's pain tolerance. While he hopes to be back in the Padres' lineup in less than four weeks, Cronenworth also noted that there is uncertainty about his ability to do so, explaining, "It's hard to say, because it's like, I don't know what's gonna have an adverse reaction yet ... we're kind of going until that happens. ... It's like, let's just keep progressing as we're progressing, and see where it ends."
... See More... See Less
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Could miss more than minimum time
Rotowire
Cronenworth (ribs) could miss a month or more due to a non-displaced fracture in his ribs, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Cronenworth was plunked in the ribs by a pitch April 6, but he was in the lineup the following day and even hit a homer. The second baseman was pulled from the Padres' next game, however, and the team initially said Cronenworth experienced cramping in his ribs. However, a subsequent evaluation revealed a non-displaced fracture, and Cronenworth was consequently placed on the IL. Manager Mike Shildt wouldn't put a timeline on Cronenworth's return when asked about the injury, but Sanders notes that Lars Nootbaar missed about a month after suffering a similar injury last season and that a physician recommended 6-to-8 weeks off for Aaron Judge after the slugger was diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture in his ribs in 2020. Shildt did express some optimism about Cronenworth's outlook, saying "it's a matter of getting some of the fluids and the healing to take place, and then it's a matter of his functionality. And then hopefully it doesn't take too long. And then it's unlike a pitcher where he has to get ramped up as much we can. Get him some at bats and get him back on the field." That being said, it seems unlikely that Cronenworth will be ready to return when first eligible April 19.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Lands on injured list
Rotowire
The Padres placed Cronenworth on the 10-day injured list Friday with a non-displaced right rib fracture.
Cronenworth was taken out of Tuesday's game against the A's due to what was initially believed to be cramping. However, imaging revealed that the 31-year-old infielder actually has a fractured rib, which stems from when he was hit by a pitch in Sunday's contest. It's unclear how long he will be out, though he could return relatively quickly, considering he was able to start another two games after getting plunked. Jose Iglesias will presumably take over as San Diego's primary second baseman while Cronenworth is out, and Tyler Wade will come up from Triple-A to replenish the big club's infield depth.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Out Wednesday with rib issue
Rotowire
Cronenworth (ribs) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics.
As anticipated, Cronenworth will be on the bench for the day game after he exited Tuesday night's 10-4 loss to the Athletics before the bottom of the third inning due to cramping on the right side of his ribs. Per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com, the injury is related to the contusion that Cronenworth suffered on his ribs after being hit by a pitch Sunday. With an off day looming Thursday, the Padres will err on the side of caution and hold Cronenworth out for the series finale, but the 31-year-old infielder expressed optimism that he would be ready to rejoin the lineup Friday against the Rockies.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Receives first day off
Rotowire
Cronenworth is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Guardians, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
After starting the first five games of the season and going 3-for-15 with a double, a homer and a 4:6 BB:K, Cronenworth will take a seat for Tuesday's contest. Jose Iglesias will man the keystone and bat seventh against Cleveland lefty Logan Allen.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Belts game-winning homer
Rotowire
Cronenworth went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk Friday in a 4-3 win against Atlanta.
Cronenworth's long ball was an eighth-inning shot that broke a 3-3 tie and ultimately provided the winning margin for the Padres. Through two contests, Cronenworth has gone 2-for-7 with a walk. He's started at second base in each game so far, and that figures to be his primary position throughout the campaign despite the fact that he logged ample time at first base last season.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Not expected to play first base
Rotowire
Padres manager Mike Shildt said Tuesday that Cronenworth playing first base this season is not currently "on the radar," Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan reports.
Cronenworth split time pretty evenly between first and second base last year, logging 80 starts at first and 66 at the keystone. However, the Padres are planning to deploy Luis Arraez on a near-everyday basis at first base in 2025 while allowing Cronenworth to settle in at second. That won't affect Cronenworth's eligibility in most fantasy formats this year, but if things go as planned, it's reasonable for those in dynasty and keeper leagues to anticipate him losing first-base eligibility in 2026. Despite the narrowing of where he'll play in the field, Cronenworth is expected to continue to be an everyday player for the Padres this season after slashing .241/.324/.390 with 17 homers, 83 RBI, 72 runs and five stolen bases over 653 plate appearances last year.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Perfect at plate Friday
Rotowire
Cronenworth went 3-for-3 with a walk in Friday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the White Sox.
Cronenworth entered Friday hitting just .163 (8-for-49) with 11 walks over 15 games in September. He hit eighth Friday, the lowest he's been in the lineup all year, and it appears to have jump-started his bat. The infielder now has a .246/.327/.392 slash line with 16 home runs, 78 RBI, 71 runs scored and five stolen bases over 148 contests. He's seen more time at second base lately with Xander Bogaerts moving over to shortstop in the absence of Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder).
... See More... See Less
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Steals home in loss
Rotowire
Cronenworth went 1-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Cardinals.
Cronenworth stole home as Manny Machado swiped second, with the throw from St. Louis catcher Pedro Pages going into center field. Speed typically isn't a big part of Cronenworth's game -- he has four steals on six attempts this year, though two of them have come over his last nine games. The infielder is now at a .245/.321/.399 slash line with 15 home runs, 75 RBI, 64 runs scored, 24 doubles and three triples over 129 contests this season.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Slugs three-run homer
Rotowire
Cronenworth went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Wednesday's win over the Pirates.
Cronenworth launched his 15th home run of the season, a three-run shot off Mitch Keller in the opening frame. Cronenworth now owns a six-game hitting streak and is batting .261 with two extra-base hits, seven RBI and three runs scored during that span. The 30-year-old is slashing .249/.318/.412 with 15 home runs, 70 RBI, 56 runs scored and two steals in 117 games this season.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Absent versus lefty
Rotowire
Cronenworth is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Pittsburgh, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Southpaw Marco Gonzales is toeing the rubber for the Pirates, offering the Padres a chance to give the left-handed-hitting Cronenworth a day of rest. Donovan Solano will occupy first base in his stead.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Sitting against left-hander
Rotowire
Cronenworth is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Dodgers.
Left-hander Clayton Kershaw will be the starting pitcher for the Dodgers, offering an opportunity for the lefty-hitting Cronenworth to get a little rest. Donovan Solano will play first base for the Padres.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Homers in Saturday's win
Rotowire
Cronenworth went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run, a hit-by-pitch and an additional RBI in Saturday's 7-0 win over the Guardians.
Cronenworth was part of both of the Padres' rallies in the contest. He was plunked with the bases loaded to force in a run in the fourth inning before going deep in the eighth. The infielder is batting .267 (12-for-45) with four extra-base hits and five RBI over 13 games in July. For the year, he's at a .260/.328/.438 slash line, 14 homers, 58 RBI, 50 runs scored, 19 doubles, two triples and two stolen bases through 96 contests. Cronenworth is likely to remain in the lineup regularly, though it's expected he'll move between first base and designated hitter most of the time, sharing those positions with Luis Arraez.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Swats homer in loss
Rotowire
Cronenworth went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's loss to the Mariners.
Cronenworth took Logan Gilbert deep to right in the seventh inning for the Padres' first run of the game during a night in which the team managed just four hits total. It's his 13th homer of the season, as he's on pace to set a career high in that category after hitting 21 in 2021. Since June 20, Cronenworth is slashing a healthy .313/.371/.484 with three homers, nine RBI, 18 runs and a 5:9 BB:K in 70 plate appearances.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Taking seat Thursday
Rotowire
Cronenworth is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Rangers.
It's a routine day of rest after Cronenworth started each of the previous 12 games for the Padres. Tyler Wade will receive a start at second base.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Logs second steal
Rotowire
Cronenworth went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, one stolen base and one run scored in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Rangers.
Cronenworth notched his first multi-hit effort since June 21 and his first steal since May 6 with a strong performance Wednesday. The infielder hit .250 with eight extra-base hits and 15 RBI over 27 contests in June. For the year, he's at a .260/.325/.437 slash line, 12 home runs, two steals, 53 RBI and 45 runs scored across 85 games. He's played fairly well, but he may slip out of an everyday role once Xander Bogaerts (shoulder) returns from the injured list later in July. Bogaerts had played primarily at second base prior to his injury, though Cronenworth or Luis Arraez could ultimately share first base and designated hitter to keep both of their bats in the lineup.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Perfect at plate Friday
Rotowire
Cronenworth went 5-for-5 with a solo home run, a double, two RBI and four runs scored in Friday's 9-5 win over the Brewers.
This was Cronenworth's first career five-hit game. He's been locked in lately with five multi-hit efforts over his last 13 contests, going 16-for-50 (.320) in that span. The infielder's big game lifted his slash line to .266/.330/.464 with 12 homers, 49 RBI, 36 runs scored, 17 doubles and one stolen base over 75 contests this season.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Belts walk-off homer
Rotowire
Cronenworth went 2-for-5 with a walk-off solo home run and an additional run in Thursday's 7-6 win against the Brewers.
Cronenworth became the latest ninth-inning hero for the Padres when he swatted a 401-foot solo blast to give the team its third straight walk-off win. The long ball was the 11th of the season through 74 games for the infielder, who has already surpassed his total of 10 homers over 127 contests last year. Cronenworth is on pace to exceed his career-best totals of 21 home runs and 71 RBI, which he established in 2021.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Swats homer in victory
Rotowire
Cronenworth went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a double and two total runs against Oakland in Monday's 6-1 win.
Cronenworth put San Diego's first run on the board with a solo homer in the third inning, and he scored again after getting hit by a pitch in the seventh. The second baseman also doubled in the contest, resulting in his first game with multiple extra-base hits since May 3. Cronenworth has put together a modest five-game hitting streak during which he's gone 8-for-19 with two homers, two doubles, six RBI and four runs.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Ends power drought
Rotowire
Cronenworth went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run, an RBI single and an additional run scored in Saturday's 13-1 win over the Diamondbacks.
Cronenworth's fourth-inning blast turned the game into a rout, and he tacked on one more RBI in the fifth. The infielder has hit well lately, going 10-for-38 (.263) with nine RBI and four extra-base hits over his last nine games, though his homer Saturday was his first since May 19. On the year, he's slashing .261/.322/.446 with nine homers, 44 RBI, 27 runs scored, 15 doubles, two triples and one stolen base over 64 contests.
