Finally, the Padres’ lineup is full strength again.
Jake Cronenworth was activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Friday’s 5:40 p.m. first pitch. He will bat sixth and man second base to begin a three-game set at Coors Field.
To make room for Cronenworth, outfielder Oscar Gonzalez was optioned to Triple-A El Paso. Gonzalez hit .220/.246/.237 with one double and four RBIs in 21 games.
Cronenworth was hitting .257/.409/.489 with two homers and five RBIs in 12 games before a non-displaced rib fracture forced him from a game on April 8.
Cronenworth’s IL stint began after Jackson Merrill missed his first game on April 7 with a hamstring strain. The Padres went 15-11 from that date — including a 2-7 rut — in a stretch that saw the team also lose Luis Arraez (concussion), Jason Heyward (knee) and Brandon Lockridge (hamstring) to stints on the injured list.
All are healthy now, making for a much deeper lineup.
New series in the Mile High City. pic.twitter.com/O6NOgco3Jn
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 9, 2025
Merrill is again the clean-up hitter after returning Tuesday, shortstop Xander Bogaerts will bat fifth and designated hitter Gavin Sheets, left fielder Jason Heyward and catcher Martín Maldonado will comprise the bottom third.
During all the absences, Sheets found himself in the two-hole five times (.478 OPS) and the cleanup spot nine times (.984 OPS).
Here is how the Rockies (6-31, 5th in NL West) will line up for Game 1:
City Connect Friday at 20th & Blake 🔜
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— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) May 9, 2025
Friday’s pitching matchup
Padres RHP Randy Vásquez (1-3, 3.90 ERA)
He hasn’t completed six innings six throwing six shutout innings in a no-decision in his first start on March 29. The Padres are 3-4 in Vásquez’s starts and he has walked more than he’s struck out in six of those appearances. Vásquez has a 7.94 ERA in three career starts against the Rockies and he allowed four runs in 2⅔ innings in his only Coors Field start last year.
Here is how he has fared against current Rockies:
Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (1-5, 5.50 ERA)
The 30-year-old Venezuelan has allowed the second-most hits in the majors (57) and is sporting a 1.86 WHIP through his first 34⅓ innings. Senzatela has just one quality start on the season, allowing one run in six innings in a win on April 30. He hasn’t faced the Padres since 2022, but he has a 3.26 ERA in 88⅓ career innings against San Diego.
Here is how he’s fared against current Padres:
