MLB Weekly Digest April 3rd Edition: Padres Sign Cronenworth

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The last week in MLB was about an infielder in the National League signing a multi-year contract extension, a starting pitcher in the American League being placed on the injured list, and a veteran pitcher dealing with an injury.

San Diego Padres Sign Infielder Jake Cronenworth to Multi-Year Contract Extension

The San Diego Padres and Jake Cronenworth are in agreement on a 7-year contract extension, per @dennistlin pic.twitter.com/1GWuyWLZaP

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 1, 2023

Per a team announcement, the San Diego Padres have signed infielder Jake Cronenworth to a seven-year contract extension.

The #Padres have signed Jake Cronenworth to a new seven-year contract.

Details: https://t.co/8PhNo4vZgB pic.twitter.com/2EkKCvpGw1

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 1, 2023

Staying in the Crone Zone 🌀 pic.twitter.com/ottySyM8Az

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 1, 2023

Per Jeff Passan of ESPN, the contract extension is worth $80 million.

Infielder Jake Cronenworth and the San Diego Padres are in agreement on a seven-year, $80 million contract extension, a source tells ESPN. Starts next year and buys out five free agent seasons. Biggest deal ever for a player his age (29) with less than four years of service.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 1, 2023

The extension is the largest for a 29-year-old player with less than four years of service time.

The deal for Cronenworth starts next season, which means he will be under contract with the Padres through the 2030 season, per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com.

The Padres have indeed agreed to a seven-year contract extension with two-time All-Star infielder Jake Cronenworth, as @dennistlin said. The deal starts next season, meaning Cronenworth will be under contract through the 2030 season.

— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) April 1, 2023

The infielder is coming off a solid 2002 season with the Padres as he was selected as an All-Star for the second time in his career.

He compiled a .239 batting average and .722 OPS in 158 games with 88 runs scored, 140 hits, 30 doubles, four triples, 17 home runs, 88 RBIs, and three stolen bases.

Cronenworth is a versatile player for the Padres, as he can play all infield positions and is steady with the glove at each position.

He has become a key player for the Padres over the past couple of seasons, and it was an intelligent move they signed him to a lengthy extension that was not too expensive.

Seattle Mariners Place Starting Pitcher Robbie Ray on Injured List with Flexor Strain

The Seattle Mariners will be without a starting rotation member going forward as they placed starting pitcher Robbie Ray on the injured list left flexor strain, per a team announcement.

Mariners roster moves:

🔹 Gabe Speier, LHP, recalled from Triple-A Tacoma.
🔹 Robbie Ray, LHP, placed on 15-day IL (left flexor strain).

— Mariners PR (@MarinersPR) April 1, 2023

Ray made his season debut for the Mariners a couple of days ago against the Cleveland Guardians but was not sharp.

He tossed 91 pitches across 3 1/3 innings while allowing five runs, issuing five walks, and striking out just three batters.

Ray will be shut down for two weeks and be reevaluated to see if he can start throwing.

He underwent an MRI over the weekend, and it revealed a grade 1 strain, per Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times.

Robbie Ray will be shut down for two weeks and then reevaluated to see if he can start throwing.

— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) April 1, 2023

Ray underwent a MRI this morning and it revealed a Grade 1 strain.

— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) April 1, 2023

Ray was solid in his first season with the Mariners last year, posting a 3.71 ERA in 189 innings pitched (32 starts) with 62 walks allowed, 32 home runs yielded, 212 strikeouts, a 100 ERA+, 4.16 FIP, and a 1.19 WHIP.

The Mariners could utilize Chris Flexen to take Ray’s spot in the rotation.

Flexen has started 53 games for the Mariners over the past two seasons and posted a 3.66 ERA in 317 1/3 innings pitched within that timeframe.

The Mariners are hopeful that Ray can rejoin the rotation in a couple of weeks as they need him healthy to contend in the American League West

New York Mets Place Starting Pitcher Justin Verlander on Injured List with Teres Major Strain

The New York Mets have placed starting pitcher Justin Verlander on the injured list with a low-grade teres major strain, per a team announcement.

Justin Verlander will be placed on the IL with a low grade teres major strain. He will continue throwing at moderate intensity and we will rescan in a week. We will provide an update at that time.

— New York Mets (@Mets) March 30, 2023

Verlander will continue throwing at moderate intensity and undergo another scan in one week.

The teres major is a small muscle that runs along the border of the scapula.

The Mets signed Verlander to a two-year MLB contract in the offseason, and it is logical to take a cautious approach with the injury.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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