The .144 Batting Average Is BACK and Padres Fans Are Holding Their Breath

Alright, so get this: After EIGHT LONG WEEKS, Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth is finally off the concussion injured list! This dude, a two-time All-Star no less, was just activated Monday and jumped right back into the action at second base against the Chicago Cubs. But here’s the kicker for San Diego fans, and honestly, it’s got me scratching my head: Before he got sidelined, Cronenworth was struggling big time. Like, a paltry .144 batting average in 32 games. So, yeah, he’s back, but what does this *really* mean for them?

The Long Road Back to the Diamond

You gotta feel for the guy, right? Cronenworth got hit in the jaw by a fastball from Yusei Kikuchi back on April 18. That’s brutal. He tried to tough it out for two weeks, but those concussion-related vision problems eventually forced him onto the IL. Eight weeks, man, that’s a lifetime in baseball, especially when teams are trying to find their rhythm early in the season. Padres manager Craig Stammen didn’t mince words about how much they missed him, saying, "It's great to have Crony back. We missed him, definitely. A guy that's been a part of our team for a while, someone that's just steady, professional at-bat all the time, and then a great second baseman. He's just a value add when we get him back."

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Stammen’s right, Cronenworth’s a veteran at 32 years old, with seven major league seasons under his belt, all with San Diego. His career numbers, a .244 batting average, .333 on-base percentage, and .399 slugging percentage with 81 homers and 373 RBIs in 813 games, show he *can* be that "value add." But the guy we saw before the injury, hitting just one homer and driving in four runs in 32 games, that wasn’t it. You have to wonder if he’s truly ready to be the difference-maker they need.

Roster Shuffle and Bullpen Buzz

To make room for Cronenworth’s return, the Padres sent infielder Will Wagner down to Triple-A El Paso. Wagner, 27, put up a .257/.422/.286 line in his 16 games this season, without a homer or an RBI. It’s a tough break for a young guy, but that’s the business, right? When a veteran like Cronenworth is ready, you make space.

Beyond the position players, San Diego also mixed things up in the bullpen, which is always a high-stakes chess game. They recalled right-hander Bradgley Rodriguez from Double-A San Antonio. This move came because right-hander David Morgan landed on the 15-day IL with left knee inflammation. Morgan, 26, was actually pitching pretty well, 2-0 with a 4.50 ERA in 18 relief outings. Rodriguez, at just 22, showed some promise in his return Monday, giving up just one hit and striking out two of the four batters he faced in a scoreless outing against the Cubs. He’s got a 1-2 record with a solid 2.06 ERA in 32 appearances, three of them starts, this year. These bullpen moves might fly under the radar, but they can totally make or break a season, especially when you're looking for consistent arms.

So, as the Padres continue their series against the Cubs, all eyes will be on Cronenworth. Can he shake off the rust, and more importantly, can he put the vision problems and that brutal .144 start behind him? His performance right now could seriously set the tone for the rest of their season. It’s a big deal, and if he finds his old form, it could be huge for them.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.