Fernando Tatis Jr. is one of the main attractions in San Diego Padres camp and the Cactus League as a whole.
He will be making his comeback (starting in late April) from multiple wrist and shoulder surgeries and a performance-enhancing drug suspension.
Over the weekend, he suffered a minor knee issue.
However, he is back in the Padres’ lineup for Monday’s Cactus League contest against the San Francisco Giants.
The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Kevin Acee adds that he will be the designated hitter on Monday, as he works his way back from the minor ailment.
Fernando Tatis Jr. will DH for the Padres today vs. the Giants.
— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) March 13, 2023
Tatis is eventually expected to patrol right field.
He had been scratched from Sunday’s game with the left knee contusion.
He sustained the injury by being hit by an errant pickoff throw on Saturday.
The fact he is already back in the lineup means that it was nothing but a little scare, although it’s always important to be cautious when it’s one of your best players on the line.
Fortunately, the injury doesn’t seem that a concern for the future.
Tatis was a beast in 2021, his last (relatively) healthy and full season, with 42 homers, 25 steals and a .975 OPS.
He had already missed time with the shoulder issue that year, and then injured his wrist in the 2021-22 lockout.
Then, around the time he was supposed to return to the Padres’ lineup last summer, the suspension was announced.
He has missed a lot of time, and naturally, his timing looks off in spring training.
If his shoulder is really healthy, he will return to form in no time and help the Padres in their playoff quest.
