Padres 'Easing Into' Fernando Tatis Jr.'s Return and Move to Right Field
ESPN reporter Alden Gonzalez was in Padres spring training camp in Peoria, Arizona, on Wednesday, and one of the big talking points was the return of Fernando Tatis Jr. to San Diego's lineup early this season. Tatis will sit out the first three weeks of the season as he finishes his 80-game PED suspension, and when he returns, he'll be the Friars' right-fielder after having spent most of his career at shortstop thus far.
Tatis missed all of the 2022 season, first with a wrist injury suffered in a dirt bike accident the previous offseason and then with the suspension, and Ha-Seong Kim filled in admirably at shortstop in his absence. This past winter, the Padres went out and signed Xander Bogaerts, who takes over as the team's starting shortstop, bumping Kim to second base and Tatis to right.
Gonzalez talked with San Diego manager Bob Melvin about Tatis, and Wednesday on SportsCenter, host Matt Barrie asked Gonzalez how the Padres are preparing for his return.
"Honestly, Matt, by easing into this. I spoke to Padres manager Bob Melvin about this earlier today. He said if it were up to Fernando Tatis Jr., he'd be playing in games yesterday, he's that eager to get back out there. But the Padres have got to consider the fact that this guy didn't play all of last season, he's coming off two surgeries, and they want to get him into game speed or as close as possible before he actually plays in major-league games.
"So he's not going to play in the Cactus League opener on Friday. He will play shortly thereafter, and once he does, I think this is really interesting, he's going to be primarily an outfielder in spring training, not so much a shortstop, even though most of their shortstops are going to soon leave for the World Baseball Classic. The Padres want him to get acclimated as much as possible to what is still a relatively new position. They also feel like the outfield is going to be easier on his body."
Gonzalez said Melvin is very happy with Tatis's demeanor, appearance, and performance so far this spring.
"Now, earlier today, Bob Melvin was gushing about just the way Fernando Tatis Jr. looks so far. He called it 'remarkable' how in tune he looks during batting practice, how natural he looks shagging fly balls. Bob Melvin added that should be no surprise, he's one of the best athletes in the sport right now. I asked Bob Melvin, has Fernando Tatis Jr. been willing to make that transition. He said Fernando Tatis Jr.'s had a smile on his face every day. It seems like he's just happy to be back playing baseball given everything that transpired in 2022."
Some of this is just the national media catching up, as we've already known for quite a while that Tatis will be playing right field this year. It wouldn't make sense for him to play shortstop in spring when he'll never play there in the regular season, any more than it would make sense to slide Manny Machado over from third to short. But Melvin's comments about how good Tatis looks during batting practice are certainly promising. Shoulder surgery can be a beast to come back from, but if anyone is equipped to handle it athletically, it's Tatis.