Padres 2nd Baseman Jake Cronenworth Ready for Spring Training

Cronenworth talks about his career, 2026 World Series chances, and hitting a home run with a broken rib.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth is gearing up for the 2026 MLB season. Cronenworth, who is entering his seventh season with the Padres, is known for his hard-nosed play and determination. Despite missing a month last year with a broken rib, Cronenworth still managed to hit a home run. As the Padres look to make another run at the World Series, Cronenworth believes the team's close-knit chemistry will be a key factor in their success.

Why it matters

Cronenworth has been a key part of the Padres' championship window over the past several years. Despite trade rumors, he has remained loyal to the organization and is seen as an underrated but crucial piece of their lineup. As the Padres look to make another World Series push, Cronenworth's leadership and grit will be important in helping the team reach that goal.

The details

Last April, Cronenworth was hit by a pitch at Wrigley Field, breaking one of his ribs. Despite the injury, he was able to play through the pain and even hit a home run against the A's just a few days later. Cronenworth missed the next month due to the injury, but he says he learned a lot about himself during that time. Entering his seventh season with the Padres, Cronenworth is known for his hard-nosed style of play, grinding out at-bats and playing strong defense.

  • In April 2025, Cronenworth was hit by a pitch at Wrigley Field, breaking one of his ribs.
  • A few days later, Cronenworth hit a home run against the A's despite the broken rib.
  • Cronenworth ended up missing the next month due to the rib injury.

The players

Jake Cronenworth

A second baseman for the San Diego Padres, known for his hard-nosed style of play and determination.

A.J. Preller

The President of Baseball Operations for the San Diego Padres.

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What they’re saying

“Obviously ... that was that was very cool. Yeah. I mean, I wish it wasn't with a broken rib. I wish it was with a healthy rib so I wouldn't have missed 30 days.”

— Jake Cronenworth (nbcsandiego.com)

“It may not be the flashiest. It may not be 30 homers or 50 doubles. But one thing that I did think about was, you know, I show up to the field every night and how am I going to be remembered? How am I performing on the field that is going to leave a lasting impact?”

— Jake Cronenworth (nbcsandiego.com)

“We don't believe it. The group is really talented, super close. We obviously have a great fan base, great stadium. You know, it's there. And I think it's just now for us to go out and execute it.”

— Jake Cronenworth (nbcsandiego.com)

What’s next

The Padres play their first Cactus League game in Arizona on February 20 against the Mariners. Opening Day at Petco Park is March 26 when the Friars open up against the Detroit Tigers.

The takeaway

Cronenworth's toughness and leadership make him a valuable asset to the Padres, even if his stats don't always jump off the page. As the Padres look to make another World Series run, Cronenworth's gritty style of play and close-knit chemistry with his teammates will be crucial to their success.