Padres Hopeful All-Star First Baseman Can Avoid Injured List

Maren Angus-Coombs | Apr 17, 2024

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego Padres first baseman Jake Cronenworth was out of the lineup Tuesday after exiting Monday's 7-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers with a leg issue.

"We're still in the process of figuring it out," Padres manager Mike Shildt said before Tuesday's game. "It's in a unique spot because it's not necessarily the calf, it kind of leaks into the hamstring. The good news is he walked out without any real discomfort yesterday and is presenting pretty well today, obviously getting treatment. Clearly, we're mindful and hopeful it won't be a long-term situation, but we're still in the process of figuring it out."

According to Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan, Shildt added that Cronenworth "walked out without any real discomfort" Monday and that the team is "mindful and hopeful that it won't be a long-term situation."

Jurickson Profar started at first base on Tuesday in place of Cronenworth. He played five games at first base last year for the Padres and has 70 career games there. José Azocar got the start in left field.

The Padres also opted to send Brett Sullivan back to Triple-A and recalled Matt Batten. Batten slashed .258/.355/.358 with two homers in 43 games with the Padres last season. He also has experience playing first base, making six starts there last year. Through his first 14 games with Triple-A El Paso, Batten is slashing .224/.318/.293.

Cronenworth has been an offensive catalyst for the Padres this season, batting .254 with a .333 on-base percentage with three homers and a team-high 14 RBIs in 19 games.

San Diego doesn't want to put Cronenworth on the injured list and is hoping that the combination of Profar and Batten is a quick fix for the missing first baseman.