A minor leaguer for the San Francisco Giants called Fernando Tatis Jr. a "cheating" on Twitter after the suspended San Diego Padres superstar hit a mammoth home run Wednesday night in a Triple-A game while on rehab assignment.
Kade McClure of the Sacramento River Cats responded to a tweet that included video of the home run at Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park by saying, “Cheater homers on rehab assignment during steroid suspension.”
Tatis is playing for the El Paso Chihuahuas on a rehab assignment while ending the 80-game suspension he received Aug. 12 after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. He will be eligible to join the active roster on April 20.
Initially, Tatis was greeted with a mix of cheers and boos after his home run off McClure, but the crowd mostly booed after he made his trademark stuttering step around third base.
At FanFest in February, Tatis said he’s already dealt with backlash from fans on the road during his career. "and I definitely look forward to that challenge" in what he said would be a fun and emotional season.
Tatis, 24, one of the most electrifying young players in the game, missed all of last season. He was about to return from surgery on his left wrist when he was suspended. He blamed his positive test on a cream he said he took for ringworm. He reportedly fractured his wrist in a motorcycle accident in his native Dominican Republic in December 2021. The injury was diagnosed during his physical exam when he reported to spring training and underwent surgery in March 2022. .
A few weeks after the suspension was announced, Tatis underwent surgery on his troublesome left shoulder and also underwent follow-up surgery on his left wrist.
An All-Star at shortstop in 2021 who has won two Silver Slugger Awards, Tatis will play right field when activated. The Padres signed shortstop Xander Bogaerts to an 11-year, $280 million free agent deal in early December.
Tatis will join a lineup that also includes Manny Machado and Juan Soto. The Padres have World Series aspirations after reaching the National League Championship Series last year.
McClure, 27, is in his seventh season in the minor leagues. He is 0-0 with a 7.20 ERA. He’s with his second organization.