Darvish set to face hitters and Cronenworth close to return for Padres
San Diego Padres relief pitcher Ryan Bergert walks towards the dugout after pitching during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Saturday, April 26, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill poses for a photo with his silver slugger awards prior to a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)
San Diego Padres' You Darvish stands in the dugout before a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth watches his two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Monday, April 7, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth hits a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Monday, April 7, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth hits a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Monday, April 7, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
San Diego Padres relief pitcher Ryan Bergert walks towards the dugout after pitching during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Saturday, April 26, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill poses for a photo with his silver slugger awards prior to a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)
San Diego Padres' You Darvish stands in the dugout before a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth watches his two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Monday, April 7, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth hits a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Monday, April 7, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
NEW YORK (AP) — Already off to a strong start this season, the San Diego Padres are getting healthier, too.
Baseball's top bullpen received a boost Wednesday when the Padres (23-12) reinstated Sean Reynolds from the 15-day injured list. Second baseman Jake Cronenworth is expected back Friday — and pitcher Yu Darvish is scheduled to face hitters Thursday for the first time in his recovery from right elbow inflammation.
Advertisement
'It's a substantial step," manager Mike Shildt said before the rubber match of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium.
The welcome news comes after 22-year-old All-Star center fielder Jackson Merrill returned from the injured list Tuesday night and went 2 for 4 with a double in the cleanup spot against New York.
'Picked up right where he left off,' Shildt said.
Darvish threw a bullpen Tuesday at the club's spring training complex in Arizona. The five-time All-Star has been sidelined all season, and it's still too soon to project a timeline for his return.
'Tomorrow's a good indicator,' Shildt said. 'It'll get more crystal from there.'
Advertisement
Cronenworth, however, played the second of back-to-back rehab games Wednesday for Triple-A El Paso. He went 1 for 2 with a walk and scored twice against Round Rock after going 1 for 2 with a two-run homer and three walks Tuesday night.
Following a day off Thursday, the two-time All-Star is likely to come off the 10-day IL in time for Friday night's series opener at Colorado.
'That's where we're trending,' Shildt said.
Cronenworth has been out since April 9 with a fractured right rib after getting hit by a pitch. He will probably wear a piece of equipment to protect his ribs when he returns, Shildt said.
Advertisement
Reynolds was looking to make his 2025 debut after recovering from a stress reaction in his right foot. The rookie right-hander threw 5 1/3 hitless innings in four rehab outings for El Paso.
The 6-foot-8 Reynolds reached the majors for the first time last season and was extremely effective in nine appearances, racking up 21 strikeouts and a 0.82 ERA in 11 innings. His four-seam fastball averaged 96.9 mph.
'He's ready to compete for us,' Shildt said.
San Diego's bullpen entered Wednesday with the lowest ERA (2.34), WHIP (1.01) and opponents' batting average (.191) in the majors — even after Adrian Morejon and Wandy Peralta were tagged for a combined 10 earned runs and seven hits in the seventh inning of Tuesday night's 12-3 loss to the Yankees.
Advertisement
To open a roster spot for Reynolds, the Padres optioned right-hander Ryan Bergert to Triple-A, where he will build his pitch count back up to resume his regular role as a starter.
The 25-year-old Bergert went 1-0 over four scoreless relief appearances for San Diego in his first taste of the major leagues.
'I thought Bergert was outstanding. It's hard to break into the big leagues,' Shildt said. 'Really pleased for him. Happy about how he's progressed, how he accepted that role.'
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
19 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
South Africa wins toss and bowling first against Australia in WTC final
LONDON (AP) — South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first against defending champion Australia at Lord's in the World Test Championship final on Wednesday. Cloud cover decided the call. 'Massive (occasion),' South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said. 'You can hear the South African accents as well in the stands. Should be a spectacle.' Unlike South Africa, Australia didn't have a warmup game, but captain Pat Cummins said they were ready. 'Preparation has been unreal. All the guys in the team are ready to go,' Cummins said. 'We have had about 10 days of preparation. I don't think there's any extra pressure. We've been here before and won it. So it's just about going out and enjoying it.' The teams were named on Tuesday. Australia has gone with a new top order by pushing up Marnus Labuschagne to open in a test for the first time, and placing Cameron Green at No. 3 for his first test in 15 months. Josh Hazlewood has displaced Scott Boland in the pace attack. South Africa brought back Lungi Ngidi as the third seamer in the only change to the team from its last test in January in Cape Town, a four-day win over Pakistan. ___ Lineups: South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi. Australia: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood. ___ AP cricket:
Fox Sports
22 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
South Africa wins toss and bowling first against Australia in WTC final
Associated Press LONDON (AP) — South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first against defending champion Australia at Lord's in the World Test Championship final on Wednesday. Cloud cover decided the call. 'Massive (occasion)," South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said. 'You can hear the South African accents as well in the stands. Should be a spectacle." Unlike South Africa, Australia didn't have a warmup game, but captain Pat Cummins said they were ready. 'Preparation has been unreal. All the guys in the team are ready to go,' Cummins said. 'We have had about 10 days of preparation. I don't think there's any extra pressure. We've been here before and won it. So it's just about going out and enjoying it.' The teams were named on Tuesday. Australia has gone with a new top order by pushing up Marnus Labuschagne to open in a test for the first time, and placing Cameron Green at No. 3 for his first test in 15 months. Josh Hazlewood has displaced Scott Boland in the pace attack. South Africa brought back Lungi Ngidi as the third seamer in the only change to the team from its last test in January in Cape Town, a four-day win over Pakistan. ___ Lineups: South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi. Australia: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood. ___ AP cricket: recommended in this topic
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tuchel runs into early problems with England as critics circle
England's Ivan Toney (14) and England's Eberechi Eze react after Senegal's Cheikh Sabaly scores their side's third goal of the game during an international friendly match against Senegal at The City Ground in Nottingham, England, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP) England's Jude Bellingham (10) reacts after Senegal's Cheikh Sabaly scores their side's third goal of the game after an international friendly match at The City Ground in Nottingham, England, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP) England manager Thomas Tuchel watches from the sideline before an international friendly match against Senegal at The City Ground in Nottingham, England, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP) England manager Thomas Tuchel watches from the sideline before an international friendly match against Senegal at The City Ground in Nottingham, England, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP) England's Ivan Toney (14) and England's Eberechi Eze react after Senegal's Cheikh Sabaly scores their side's third goal of the game during an international friendly match against Senegal at The City Ground in Nottingham, England, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP) England's Jude Bellingham (10) reacts after Senegal's Cheikh Sabaly scores their side's third goal of the game after an international friendly match at The City Ground in Nottingham, England, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP) England manager Thomas Tuchel watches from the sideline before an international friendly match against Senegal at The City Ground in Nottingham, England, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP) Hired amid skepticism because of his nationality, German coach Thomas Tuchel was brought in as England manager to get the national team from soccer's birthplace 'over the line' at a World Cup for the first time since 1966. One year out from the 2026 tournament in North America and Tuchel has already run into problems — and is feeling the wrath of England's fans, too. Advertisement The 3-1 loss to Senegal at home in a friendly match on Tuesday brought a crashing end to Tuchel's honeymoon period that was already tottering after England could only eke out a feeble 1-0 win over 173rd-ranked Andorra four days earlier. Boos rang out as Tuchel and England's players left the field at the City Ground in Nottingham after losing to an African nation for the first time. Tuchel has coached some of the world's biggest clubs in Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Chelsea and was regarded, tactically, as a big step-up from predecessor Gareth Southgate. For many, Southgate lacked that magic touch to turn England into title-winners despite its deep runs at the past four major tournaments. These are early days — Tuchel only started the job in January — but England might even have regressed in its latest era under a foreign coach. Advertisement Here's a look at the teething problems being encountered in Tuchel's tenure: Tactics While Southgate no doubt generated a great culture and atmosphere in the squad off the field, he was accused of being too pragmatic and lacking flexibility in his tactics on it. Tuchel was expected to be a huge upgrade in that respect but England doesn't yet have an identity under the German. England captain Harry Kane listed the ingredients his team were missing against Senegal — and there were plenty. 'With and without the ball, we aren't quite clicking,' said Kane, who opened the scoring. "We aren't finding the right passes, the right tempo. In the one-vs.-ones, we're losing duels and that aggressive nature we've had. Advertisement 'There are some ideas that are new and we have some new players coming into the team who haven't got experience at international level. It's a mixture of things.' Tuchel only has four more camps to get his ideas across ahead of the World Cup, should England qualify of course. The team won its opening three World Cup qualifiers — against Albania, Latvia and Andorra — and tops Group K with five matches to play from September to November. Selection Some of Tuchel's early-tenure selections have raised eyebrows. He has brought former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, age 34 and most recently playing at Ajax, back into the squad because of his leadership qualities and to 'take care of all the standards in the group,' Tuchel said. But is Henderson good enough to still be in the team? Advertisement He has persisted with right back Kyle Walker, who is aged 35, seemingly passed his best and most recently sent on loan to AC Milan where he has struggled to impress. Tuchel has the likes of Reece James and new Real Madrid player Trent Alexander-Arnold as alternatives but is preferring Walker, again talking about how the veteran is 'pushing the standards' in the camp. Some of his picks at center back — newcomers Trevoh Chalobah and Dan Burn among them — have also been scrutinized. Bluntness While Southgate always shielded his players from criticism, Tuchel is more open and blunt with any negative analysis. Advertisement Indeed, after the Andorra game where England toiled, Tuchel accused his players of lacking 'the seriousness and the urgency that is needed in a World Cup qualifier' and said he didn't like their attitude and body language. To many, it was fair comment but something England's players maybe hadn't been used to hearing from their coach. Will they take it the wrong way — and prefer Southgate's arm-round-the-shoulder approach? In mitigation In defense of Tuchel, England's players were coming off long club seasons and might have switched off mentally before linking up with England for the Andorra and Senegal games. Advertisement Tuchel also made 10 changes against Senegal and was clearly testing out some new players and tactical approaches. 'There is no need to panic,' he said 'We know more now. We are smarter ... I hate losses like nothing else but we don't go next week to the World Cup, we go in one year.' However, more bad results or performances in September, when England plays Andorra at home and Serbia away, and the nation's fans — and some sections of the media, no doubt — will get on Tuchel's back and likely use his passport against him. The pressure is already building. ___ AP soccer:
