San Diego Padres star second baseman Jake Cronenworth was activated from the 10-day injured list before Friday night’s road game against the Colorado Rockies.
Cronenworth was out of action for more than four weeks due to a rib fracture.
The player was hit by a pitch on April 6 during a game against the Chicago Cubs and attempted to play despite the injury. Two days later, he left a game against the Athletics due to increased pain in his ribs.
San Diego opened a roster spot by optioning outfielder Oscar Gonzalez to Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.Cronenworth, 31, batted .257 with an on-base percentage of .409 in nine games this season before going on the injured list. He has two home runs and five RBIs.
The two-time All-Star is in his sixth season with the Padres. He is batting .247 with 71 home runs and 315 RBIs in 658 career games.
Despite the long absences of Cronenworth and All-Star center fielder Jackson Merrill, the Padres have a 23-13 record that places them fourth in the majors. Merrill returned to the lineup on Tuesday after missing 24 games with a right hamstring injury.
