San Diego Padres Jose Iglesias | Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images
The veteran is capable to contribute in Cronenworth’s absence.
The 2025 season seemed to unravel (according to on social media) when Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jake Cronenworth were injured and
had to leave the game on the same night. Each is a lightning bolt to the San Diego Padres offense, and losing both brought a tone of nervousness among the Friar Faithful.
Thankfully, Tatis Jr. returned to the lineup after missing one game. He attempted to check his swing, but it seemed to aggravate his surgically repaired left shoulder. You may remember, Tatis Jr. injured his labrum during the 2021 season. It forced him to shift from shortstop to the outfield before having surgery.
But the news for Cronenworth was
promising for what appeared to be a lengthy stay on the injured list. The two-time All-Star exited the game after being unable to move out of the batter’s box after putting the ball in play. In the prior road series against the Chicago Cubs, Cronenworth was hit by a pitch in the ribs. He brushed off the pain, but it landed him on the IL with a right rib fracture.
Now, Jose Iglesias will take over the second base chores, and hopefully, he will keep the season on course in his absence.
Patching up a Temporary Hole
With Cronenworth sidelined, the Friars need a potent bat to enter the lineup. Iglesias has an opportunity to show his worth to the Friar Faithful.
He was a wise addition due to his versatility to play all four infield and the corner outfield positions. However,
his signing came late in spring training, which meant that Iglesias might need time to regain his timing at the plate. While this may sound like a plea for patience, such a strategy was unnecessary.
He knows the strike zone. If Iglesias has two strikes against him, he will shorten his swing to put the ball in play.
For good hitters like him, it is all about getting on base. He understands about putting himself in scoring position for the top of the batting order.
He is playing well with limited at-bats in the first month of the 2025 season. But with a .283 lifetime batting average, his bat is expected to get hot with extended playing time. Iglesias’ glove is capable of making extraordinary plays that end-scoring rallies.
Iglesias is the right fixture in the lineup until Cronenworth is ready to return.
Padres bench are unsung heroes
A baseball season is like a roller coaster ride, as teams hold on for dear life to remain injury-free.
It did not come as a great surprise that television experts began forecasting the Friars’ demise after injuries to the starting lineup. But that is further from the truth, as the Padres have the best record in baseball. Bench depth has played a role in the team’s early-season success.
The Padres aimed to strengthen their bench by adding more veterans this offseason, and the strategy has paid off. New reinforcements like Gavin Sheets, Martin Maldonado, and Yuri Gurriel have all contributed when needed. Each has put together some good swings in their limited at-bats.
You need bench players like Iglesias, who focus on being prepared when called into action. If the Padres continue to get positive results, they will remain in contention for a postseason berth.
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