The San Diego Padres have put Jake Cronenworth’s 2026 season on hold.
The team announced they have placed their second baseman on the seven-day concussion injury list. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune (need a paid subscription), Cronenworth began experiencing bouts of fogginess and difficulty focusing during at-bats following the Padres’ road trip to Mexico City.
The slow burn of Cronenworth’s health condition
The medical staff misattributed his symptoms to the effects of playing at high altitude. But his physical troubles can be traced
back to being hit in the jaw by a pitch thrown by Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi.
At first, Friars manager Craig Stammen thought everything was going well. It kept Cronenworth out of the lineup for only one game, as initial baseline tests cleared him of a concussion. Slowly, his condition began to deteriorate, as headaches became more frequent. It was wise to get a medical explanation for his failing state.
To his credit, Cronenworth kept playing without complaint, as his toughness is legendary in San Diego. He has been hit by a pitch 65 times, so Crone knows how to deal with pain.
A batting slump of major proportions
Unfortunately, his production at the plate took a major hit. He has endured the worst batting slump of his seven-year major league career.
Cronenworth is batting .111 in 27 at-bats since the hit-by-pitch incident. The lefty has recorded only three hits, one RBI, four walks, with a .498 OPS. And for the season, Crone is hitting .144 with one home run and four RBI.
At times, it looked like he was swinging at pitches way too late in the strike zone. It is not a timing issue but rather a matter of failing to recognize the pitch coming out of the delivery.
Who is in at 2B?
With Cronenworth out of the lineup, the Padres have a few options to replace him at second. The team called up Sung-Mun Song from the minors to take his place on the roster and in the field. You may see Fernando Tatis Jr. start at second base periodically. It will depend on the pitching matchup.
Song carried his hot start in El Paso straight into the majors. He is hitting .500 with two RBI in two games.
Baseball’s concussion protocol has come a long way over the last decade. Team doctors have made tremendous strides in diagnosing head injuries, but there is room for improvement. No one ever wants to see a player removed from the lineup because he sustained a concussion.
It is no one’s fault that Cronenworth played with a head injury for an extended period. Everyone wishes the diagnosis had come sooner, but despite following all the correct steps, concussion symptoms often take time to surface.
The good news is that the Friars and Cronenworth know the cause of his struggles. Now, we wait for him to heal and return to form with the bat. Cronenworth will not be out of the woods until he puts together a couple of good games.
Team doctors will monitor his progression before clearing him to play again. Do not be surprised if Cronenworth’s return to the lineup is longer than seven days.
