Cronenworth (ribs) has ben cleared for all baseball activity and began taking live at-bats at the Padres' spring complex Thursday, per MLB.com.

EDGE Analysis

Cronenworth has been on the IL since April 11 due to a non-displaced right rib fracture, and while the injury hasn't fully healed, the infielder could return to action before that occurs. It's not yet clear how long Cronenworth will need to ramp back up, and he may need at least a brief minor-league rehab stint before returning to the big club, but it appears he could be back with San Diego within the next few weeks. While Cronenworth has been out, Jose Iglesias has been getting the bulk of the starts at second base.

Cronenworth (ribs) took groundballs, worked on change of direction, played catch, and took dry swings Friday, and he's optimistic that he can return ahead of his initial 4-to-6 week return timeframe, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cronenworth landed on the IL on April 11 due to a non-displaced right rib fracture. Though such an injury typically takes 4-to-6 weeks to heal, it's possible that the veteran infielder could return before the fracture totally heals, and Padres manager Mike Shildt suggested Friday that such a scenario would be dependent on Cronenworth's pain tolerance. Though he hopes to be back in the Padres' lineup in less than four weeks, Cronenworth also noted that there is uncertainty about his ability to do so, explaining, "It's hard to say, because it's like, I don't know what's gonna have an adverse reaction yet ... we're kind of going until that happens. ... It's like, let's just keep progressing as we're progressing, and see where it ends."

Cronenworth (ribs) could miss a month or more due to a non-displaced fracture in his ribs, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cronenworth was plunked in the ribs by a pitch April 6, but he was in the lineup the following day and even hit a homer. The second baseman was pulled from the Padres' next game, however, and the team initially said Cronenworth experienced cramping in his ribs. However, a subsequent evaluation revealed a non-displaced fracture, and Cronenworth was consequently placed on the IL. Manager Mike Shildt wouldn't put a timeline on Cronenworth's return when asked about the injury, but Sanders notes that Lars Nootbar missed about a month after suffering a similar injury last season and that a physician recommended 6-to-8 weeks off for Aaron Judge after the slugger was diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture in his ribs in 2020. Shildt did express some optimism about Cronenworth's outlook, saying "it's a matter of getting some of the fluids and the healing to take place, and then it's a matter of his functionality. And then hopefully it doesn't take too long. And then it's unlike a pitcher where he has to get ramped up as much we can. Get him some at bats and get him back on the field." That being said, it seems unlikely that Cronenworth will be ready to return when first eligible April 19.

The Padres placed Cronenworth on the 10-day injured list Friday with a non-displaced right rib fracture.

EDGE Analysis

Cronenworth was taken out of Tuesday's game against the A's due to what was initially believed to be cramping. However, imaging revealed that the 31-year-old infielder actually suffered a fractured rib, which stems from when he was hit by a pitch in Sunday's contest. It's unclear how long he will be out, though he could return relatively quickly, considering he was able to start another two games after getting plunked. Jose Iglesias will presumably take over as San Diego's primary second baseman while Cronenworth is out, and Tyler Wade will come up from Triple-A to replenish the big club's infield depth.

Cronenworth (ribs) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

As anticipated, Cronenworth will be on the bench for the day game after he exited Tuesday night's 10-4 loss to the Athletics before the bottom of the third inning due to cramping on the right side of his ribs. Per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com, the injury is related to the contusion that Cronenworth suffered on his ribs after being hit by a pitch Sunday. With an off day looming Thursday, the Padres will err on the side of caution and hold Cronenworth out for the series finale, but the 31-year-old infielder expressed optimism that he would be ready to rejoin the lineup Friday against the Rockies.

Cronenworth exited Tuesday's loss to the Athletics due to cramping in his ribs, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It initially appeared that Cronenworth could be dealing with a leg injury, but Padres manager Mike Shildt revealed after the loss that the infielder was forced to exit in the third inning due to cramping in his ribs. The injury is related to a hit-by-pitch Cronenworth took to his ribs Sunday, and Shildt said that the team is "not overly concerned" about the issue, per Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune. However, Cassavell suggests that Cronenworth could be held out of San Diego's series finale versus the A's on Wednesday ahead of the team's off-day Thursday.

Cronenworth was removed from Tuesday's game against the Athletics due to an apparent leg injury, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cronenworth didn't even attempt to run to first base on his third-inning groundout, instead doubling over in pain while grabbing at his leg. He was eventually able to walk off the field under his own power, but the Padres will presumably take a closer look at him to see if he suffered any severe damage.

Cronenworth went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk Monday in a 5-4 win versus the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

Cronenworth helped the Padres get off to a quick start, launching a two-run blast to right-center field in the first inning. It was the second long ball of the season for the infielder, who has reached base safely in nine of his 11 games so far. Cronenworth is slashing a steady .265/.405/.500 through 42 plate appearances.

Cronenworth is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Guardians, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

After starting the first five games of the season and going 3-for-15 with a double, a homer and a 4:6 BB:K, Cronenworth will take a seat for Tuesday's contest. Jose Iglesias will man the keystone and bat seventh against Cleveland lefty Logan Allen.

Cronenworth went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk Friday in a 4-3 win against Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

Cronenworth's long ball was an eighth-inning shot that broke a 3-3 tie and ultimately provided the winning margin for the Padres. Through two contests, Cronenworth has gone 2-for-7 with a walk. He's started at second base in each game so far, and that figures to be his primary position throughout the campaign despite the fact that he logged ample time at first base last season.