Cron could serve as a designated hitter against left-handers in 2020 if MLB adopts a universal DH rule for all teams, Chris Murray of Nevada Sports Net reports.

EDGE Analysis

In a normal year, Cron likely would have started the season at Triple-A Reno, but the coronavirus pandemic is causing MLB to consider changes that includes National League teams using the DH. Under that scenario, the right-handed hitting Cron could share DH with the left-handed hitting Jake Lamb. Cron bashed 38 home runs at Reno last season and added another six in 71 at-bats for the Diamondbacks.

Cron was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Thursday, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

This isn't all too surprising, as Cron is behind both Christian Walker and Jake Lamb on the depth chart at first base. Cron struggled in his big-league debut last season but should get another shot if he continues to show he has nothing left to prove at the highest level of the minors.

Cron was second on the Diamondbacks with three home runs during Cactus League play. He batted .241 (7-for-29) with four extra-base hits, four runs scored and eight RBI over 14 spring appearances.

EDGE Analysis

Cron made steady progress through the minors, hitting at every stop, before breaking out in 2019 with 38 home runs, 105 RBI and a 1.226 OPS at Triple-A Reno. He added another six home runs in 78 plate appearances for the Diamondbacks. Unfortunately, it looks like the Diamondbacks may not have room for the 6-foot-5, 250-pounder, as Christian Walker and Jake Lamb are ahead of him at first base.

Cron entered as a pinch hitter and grounded out in his lone at-bat in Thursday's 11-1 loss to the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Cron made a lot of noise in the minors at Triple-A Reno (38 homers in 82 games), but hasn't been given many opportunities since his September callup. He's made just five plate appearances this month and will be marginalized while the Diamondbacks hunt for a postseason berth. In an earlier stint with the team, Cron posted a .207 average (12-for-38) with four doubles, five home runs and 15 RBI over 27 games.

Cron was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Cron had a couple stretches in the majors this season but hasn't had a big-league at-bat since mid-July. The 26-year-old has a .207/.266/.534 slash line with five home runs and 15 RBI in 64 plate appearances.

Cron went 3-for-5 with three home runs and five RBI on Tuesday in Triple-A Reno's 10-6 loss to Oklahoma City.

EDGE Analysis

It's already the second three-homer game of the season and the fourth in three years for Cron, who leads the Pacific Coast League with 36 long balls. The 26-year-old has nothing to prove against Triple-A pitching at this point, but he's blocked from an everyday role in Arizona with Christian Walker locked in as the club's top first baseman. Cron should at least be in store for a promotion to the Diamondbacks when rosters expand in September.

Cron was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Cron owns a lopsided but respectable .207/.266/.534 slash line in 27 games this season. There aren't enough at-bats available for him at first base at the moment, however, with Christian Walker hitting well and Jake Lamb also sliding over from third base for the occasional start at the position. Wilmer Flores (foot) returns from the injured list in a corresponding move.

Cron is expected to serve as designated hitter Tuesday and/or Wednesday when the Diamondbacks face the Rangers in Texas, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cron has been limited mostly to pinch-hit duty since being recalled to Arizona. That's his state of affairs now that Jake Lamb has returned from injury. Lamb and Christian Walker have crowded out Cron's opportunities.

Cron was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The Diamondbacks' situation at first base is more crowded than ever with Jake Lamb now healthy, so Cron may be stuck as a pinch hitter during his time in Arizona. In 52 plate appearances for the team earlier in the season, he hit just .213 but managed four homers. Taylor Clarke (back) landed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Cron was sent back to Triple-A Reno following Friday's game, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Demoting Cron to the minors enables the Diamondbacks to bring up a reliever to buttress a bullpen that's been used quite a bit this week during the team's five-game losing streak. It also signals the potential return of Jake Lamb (quadriceps).