Padres star infielder Jake Cronenworth has a small fracture on his left ring finger, per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com (via Twitter). It’s unclear at this time how long Cronenworth might be out. A lengthy absence would be a crushing blow for the Friars as they look to stave off the Reds for the last playoff spot in the National League.
Cronenworth has built upon a surprising rookie season in 2020 with an All-Star campaign. With a .270/.348/.466 triple slash line, 20 home runs, and 89 runs scored, Cronenworth has been 21 percent better than average with the bat.
His contributions have been particularly valuable paired with high-end defensive versatility. Most of his playing time has come at the keystone, but he’s also filled in at first base and shortstop at key points this season. Most notably, he has served as the Padres’ starting shortstop ever since the team moved Fernando Tatis Jr. to the outfield.
If Cronenworth misses significant time, Ha-Seong Kim could take over at short. Kim hasn’t been as productive with the bat as expected, but he has received strong marks for his glovework, accruing eight Defensive Runs Saved in just 243 innings.
VegasSDfan
Now we are going to score even less than 0 runs per game. I believe Tingler is next to go.
Fever Pitch Guy
Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
retire21
New material. Please. I beg you.
tstats
Prayers and thoughts for a speedy recovery
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
Nyuk nyuk nyuk
@tstats, you threw a nice change up there
retire21
That’s much better. Thank you.
bigguccisosa300
tstats wins lmao
nutznboltz
Vegas, I hope you are right on Tingler.
fox471 Dave
Why Tingler? Not a Padres fan but they are in the toughest division in baseball. Their pitching staff for the most part has been decimated for most of the year. Might want to ease up on the Timgler thing.
Deleted User
Because simple minded people want simple minded solutions
padreforlife
That’s all Padre fans know fire the manager
Disjointed Team
Agree. Tingler isn’t at fault because guys can’t hit in clutch situations. That pitch Myers swung at last night to end the game was just pathetic. The leaders need to step up. It’s that simple.
padreforlife
Hosmer ended game with weak ass grounder
bigguccisosa300
The toughest division that has the Rockies and diamondbacks? AL east says hi
geg42
Rockies are tough at home.
Orioles = Dbacks.
iverbure
AL east is the toughest division in baseball and it’s not close. And it has been for years.
VegasSDfan
He changes the lineup and order everyday even when someone is on fire
Pads50
No Tingler has lost us more games early in the season from his idiotic moves
MasterShake
Vegas Easley will be let go before Tingler
Crunchtime1969
Really don’t need your negativity right now. Be a real fan and support the team. I will be surprised if Cron goes on the IL. He’s old school. A tough kid.
kc38
Could you imagine…. making all the moves they’ve made… and still missing the playoffs?
extreme113
In AJ we trust?!
padreforlife
He’s a fraud
Crunchtime1969
Yea. Ask the Mets
Disjointed Team
The entire 2nd WC competition is a joke. Just a bunch of mediocre teams who can’t seem to get out of their own way. Philly has now lost 2 straight at home to the worst road team, Colorado. Reds can’t hit and their bullpen is pretty bad. Cards can’t hit, and now they can’t decide on who will close games? SD hasn’t hit in forever. And the Mets, well, they’re just hanging around.
DarkSide830
dont worry about Philly. they’re toast.
tstats
Sadly they are, as a dodger fan I’d rather face Philly than either the Padres or the Reds. Both teams have a GUY that can pitch a WC game with offenses explosive enough and enough times that they are a threat. I know Wheeler is insanely good but the Phillies offense just can’t back up his pitching and the defense isn’t doing them any favors either.
DarkSide830
Wheeler hasnt been as great either recently. but yeah, the offense is so broken most of the times.
Chipsss
I still don’t think anyone should be hoping to face Wheeler in a wild card game. Obviously the dodgers have a couple guys who could match him zero for zero though
Prospectnvstr
Disjointed Team: And here I thought you were going to say: And the Mets, well they’re the Mets.
Deleted User
They might have to play to actually Tatis at SS…
Crunchtime1969
The should. The team carries themselves differently when he’s at SS. They need some swag right now. With Machado, Tatis, and Cron in the infield they are a better team.
Kapler's Coconut Oil
Nothing says swag like 20+ errors.
bucsfan0004
All the young SS’s make a ton of errors. Bichette is not good at SS and doesn’t have the rocket arm like Tatis. Want a SS that makes no errors ever? Kevin Newman. I’d gladly prefer a young, exciting player that kicks the ball around a bit in the field than Kevin Friggin Newman
Chipsss
They probably need quality baseball played rather than swag. Swag is just another dog whistle word these days for people who care about things other than baseball during baseball games.
24ac
CJ ABRAMS!!!!!!!!!!
bbatardo
Broke his leg.
mlb1225
Out for the season.
bucsfan0004
I remember when Tatis signed his deal he said he wanted to be the Derek Jeter of San Diego. 9 months later and now he’s just a guy who stands in right field all night. Move this kid back to SS, please! It shouldn’t take an injury to Cronenworth to figure out where to play your best athletes.
NLD_14
He’s playing hurt?
dodger1958
Maybe the Friars have determined that Tatis is a defensive liability @SS. I am not saying that is true but maybe they think so.
pads fan1980
He has been playing with a bad shoulder all year. Last year he was great on defense so I would look at the bad shoulder as a reason for most of his errors
Chipsss
Fair, but chronically bad shoulder and SS don’t really go well together either.
empirejim
He really hasnt been solid at SS except for last years abbreviated season. 2019 and 2021 are pretty high in the “error” column. Dont think the shoulder is the issue as it’s the throws that are the lions share of the E’s.
CrikesAlready
Somehow, the Padres think Tatis hitting a wall or running into another player in a wide open field at higher speed is safer… Oh, they told him not to hit a wall? Not to run into the gaps or charge in? Oh, so they’re throwing games.
PrellerLogic.
GarryHarris
It’s his shoulder from throwing they’re trying to save
Deleted User
It’s his left shoulder, not his throwing shoulder.
Faith in the Padres
Well that blows. Love watching rake cronenworth play. Next man up though. Tatis back to ss? OF of Pham Grisham Myers?
Deleted_User
LOL
bucincharlotte
Trade Abrams for Newman! All PGH DP combo 🙂
dodger1958
Over the last 43 innings (including the 16 inning game) the Friars have scored a grand total of 5 runs combined against the Doyers. It isn’t their decimated pitching that is responsible for their run production. It isn’t like the Doyers haven’t lost 2 Cy Young pitchers either. Or one up and coming pitcher with a WHIP of 1.1.
Crunchtime1969
Low and outside sliders has been the Padres bane all year. They just can’t leave them alone.
VegasSDfan
It’s the constant lineup shuffle, that alone is hurting the team. These guys can’t get comfortable being in this position. Do I hit 2nd, 8th, 5th, am I playing, what position?
AHH-Rox
Yet the Dodgers and Rays shuffle their lineups even more and win. Professional players need to perform.
dodger1958
Overhyped everyday lineup.
Balk
When I watch teams shuffle their players, usually it’s because they have the depth to do so. Giants shuffle quite a bit, depending on opposing teams righty/lefty pitcher. I think if you do this with a team that doesn’t have depth, for whatever reason, it can screw with a teams production. So I have to agree VegasSD….
GarryHarris
The Friers are cooked
brooklynboy
If they fail to make the playoffs and Bruce Boche expresses an interest in it, then Tingler is toast.
dodger1958
Why would Boche want to return to San Diego? In any capacity. He is a hall of fame manager-in-waiting, whose first go around with the Friars didn’t end well.
Deleted_User
The guy who retired?
Disjointed Team
Bochy has heart issues. He’s had multiple procedures done in the past, and he can barely walk. Unless he had those health concerns completely addressed, I’m not sure why he wants to manage?
empirejim
I can empathize with Padres fan. I remember that sinking feeling when Seager got his hand broken. If the Padres want to hold on to a playoff spot they’re going to have to dig deep and step up.
TradeAcuna
Save the embarrassment. They were going to lose to the Dodgers anyway.
The Saber-toothed Superfife
Dodgers play Cin, SD ….Az, Colo
SF plays SD, ends with Colo, Az
Things do not look good for SD.
But…they control their own fate.
SF winning the division is still iffy.
Mookie Betts, Max Scherzer = advantage LA Dodgers.
The Dodgers are so darn good, if it wasn’t for Tommy LaSorda…if might hate them out of sheer jealousy….but I have to admire them.
Deleted_User
Hate them with every cell in my body but SF is winning the WS this year