After an absence of almost a year and a half, due to a broken left wrist and an 80-game suspension for doping, the Dominican Fernando Tatis Jr. saw action this Tuesday in his first game with the San Diego Padres.
Tatis Jr. was placed second and designated hitter in manager Bob Melvin’s lineup for the preseason game against the San Francisco Giants.
"It was good to be back. i felt amazing"said Tatis Jr. after the game that ended in a 7-5 victory for the Padres.
Tatis Jr. had not seen action in a game with the Padres since October 3, 2021, after going to training camp last year with a broken wrist and then was suspended for doping, forcing him to miss all the 2022 season.
"I definitely sat down and thought a bit about what happened to me all this time"stated Tatis Jr. who in this period off the pitch underwent two surgeries to repair the fracture in his wrist and a surgical procedure on his left shoulder.
"I’m grateful to be back here, cherishing every moment."
Tatis Jr. came up to bat three times Tuesday, drawing a walk and missing his last two at-bats while scoring a run.
The versatile 24-year-old put his leg speed to the test by stealing bases, reaching second base safely in the first inning and then scored on Jake Cronenworth’s triple.
"It’s part of my game. I’m going to keep doing it, and we build a career that way."said Tatis Jr. about the stealing of bases that he carried out, a tool that the manager Melvin had indicated was going to decrease in the actions of his star player in order to preserve his health.
Tatis Jr. is off Wednesday and is expected to play defense in right field for the first time this preseason in Thursday’s game against the Seattle Mariners.