The San Diego Padres activated Fernando Tatis Jr. from the injured list before Sunday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Padres won the game 8-2. Tatis had been on the injured list since July 31 with a partially dislocated shoulder. The Padres manage Jayce Tingler is happy to have Tatis back in the lineup.
“Most definitely,’’ Tingler said, “it’s great having him back. Obviously, he played very well today. More important, it’s nice having him back in the field, in the dugout, in the clubhouse, and just the personality guys gravitate to.’’
Tatis usually plays shortstop, but the Padres decided to play him in right field, for the time being, hoping it would lessen the chance of Tatis getting hurt; San Diego’s hope is to keep Tatis healthy the rest of the year to make a playoff run.
San Diego has 15 players on the injured list and is second in the NL wild-card stands, but the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and Atlanta Braves are hot on their trail. The Padres hope to get more players back soon to finish the season strong. San Diego made many moves in the off-season, and missing the playoffs would be a massive disappointment for the Padres.
Fernando Tatis Jr. returned with a vengeance; he batted leadoff and led the game off with a double. In his next at-bat, Tatis hit a home run to left field and added another home run in the fifth inning. Tatis finished the game going 4-5 with two home runs and three RBIs.
“Make them remember why they missed you,” Tatis said grinning.
He did not get challenged much in the right field; Tatis had many routine plays come out to right. Eric Hosmer said Tatis did not miss a beat.
“Fernando being Fernando,’’ Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer said, “he never ceases to amaze any of us. Coming off the IL, not missing a beat, and just doing what he does.’’
So far this season Tatis is batting .300 with 33 homer runs and 74 RBIs.
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