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Padres make big Jake Cronenworth injury move ahead of Cubs series
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- Padres make big Jake Cronenworth injury move ahead of Cubs series
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The San Diego Padres added a needed piece to their infield Monday, reinstating Jake Cronenworth from the seven-day concussion-injured list before opening a home series vs. the Chicago Cubs .
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Cronenworth returns to the Padres' everyday infield mix, giving manager Craig Stammen an additional experienced left-handed bat and reliable defender. To clear space on the active roster, the club optioned infielder Will Wagner to Triple-A El Paso after his recent major league stint.
The moves did not stop there. Right-handed reliever David Morgan went on the 15-day injured list with left knee inflammation, retroactive to Sunday. San Diego replaced him by recalling right-handed reliever Bradgley Rodriguez from Double-A San Antonio before Monday night's opener at Petco Park.
The Padres shared the official transactions Monday afternoon on X, formerly Twitter, as the club prepares for their three-game series vs. the Cubs.
"We have made the following roster moves."
Cronenworth's return arrives at a useful time for a team trying to stay in the National League playoff race. His presence gives the Padres more balance, steadier infield defense, and another veteran hitter as the schedule moves toward July.
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The bullpen move matters. Morgan's injury created an unexpected opening, and Rodriguez gives Stammen another arm to cover middle or late innings. The Padres have leaned heavily on pitching depth throughout the season, making every available relief option important during a busy stretch.
Optioning Wagner reflects the roster squeeze created by Cronenworth's activation, even as the veteran works through an up-and-down season. Wagner gave San Diego coverage while Cronenworth recovered, but the Padres chose to restore their regular infield alignment before facing a Cubs club also trying to strengthen its postseason position. The 32-year-old is currently hitting .144 with 14 hits, one home run, four RBIs, and 13 runs scored in 32 games.
For San Diego, Monday's transactions offered both a lineup boost and relief depth. Getting Cronenworth back gives the Padres another trusted contributor as they try to build momentum in a crowded National League race.
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