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San Diego Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth was hit in the face by a 96 mph fastball Saturday night against the Los Angeles Angels, but he remained in the game as the team rallied late for a 4-1 victory.
Cronenworth, already the Padres’ all-time scoring leader, was hit in the chin during the fifth inning after a high pitch from Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi. The ball barely grazed Cronenworth’s shoulder before making contact with his chin.
Jake Cronenworth of the San Diego Padres reacts after being hit by a pitch during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, California on April 18, 2026. (Caroline Brehman/AP)
The game was briefly delayed as Cronenworth was checked by Padres trainers, but he remained in the game.
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“He’s a hockey player and he hasn’t lost any teeth,” manager Craig Stammen said after the game. via MLB.com. “So he had to stay in the game. That was the rule. He took one off the chin, literally, and he held on, and then he stayed in the game and made some plays for us.”
Cronenworth added that it was the first time he had been hit in the face since his hockey days.
“The first reaction was just: try to make sure my jaw is okay.”
Jake Cronenworth of the San Diego Padres reacts after being hit by a pitch during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, California on April 18, 2026. (Caroline Brehman/AP)
ORIOLES MANAGER CRAIG ALBERNAZ TAKES THE LINE TO DEAL WITH TERRIFYING SCENE
Saturday’s victory follows reports that the family of late San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler is close to selling the team. The Wall Street Journal was first to report the likely deal with private equity billionaire Jose E. Feliciano and his wife, Kwanza Jones.
The team is reportedly expected to be sold for a reported $3.9 billion in a record deal for a Major League Baseball team. The previous mark was set by Steven Cohen, who purchased the New York Mets for approximately $2.4 billion in 2020.
Jake Cronenworth of the San Diego Padres is greeted by his teammates after scoring during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, California on April 18, 2026. (Caroline Brehman/AP)
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