SAN DIEGO – San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer was ruled out of the injured list on Saturday after 11 of the first 14 games with gastritis.
To make room on the roster, outfielder Abraham Almonte became optional on the alternative training site.
Hosmer was placed on the IL on August 1, with retroactive leave until July 29. He was scratched from the lineup three previous games.
“I feel much better,” he said Saturday. “I feel like I’m regaining a lot of my strength, gaining a lot of weight that I lost. Feeling good about being back, something to do with the boys.”
Hosmer said he has never received an accurate diagnosis of the disease and plans to see specialists after the season.
The team said it was not related to COVID-19.
“I went there for a few weeks struggling to get fluids down, nutrients down,” Hosmer said. “I’ve now had a pretty consistent schedule as to food.”
He still hit a ground ball. He hit a couple of bases clearing doubles in a 7-2 win over Arizona in the season opener and a home game in a loss to the Diamondbacks two days later.
He was back on first base and played fifth Saturday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Rookie Jake Cronenworth, who first made seven starts in Hosmer’s absence, started at second base and hit seventh. Cronenworth has been impressive with his bat and glove.
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