Padres News: Friars to Give Fernando Tatis Jr a Couple Days Off
The Padres are looking to salvage a series split against the Phillies in Philadelphia on Sunday but will do so without Fernando Tatis Jr in the starting lineup. Tatis injured his right ankle in an awkward play in right field on Saturday night and was forced to exit the game a few innings later. After the game, he said he wasn't too concerned with the injury and he'd take the night to see how he felt in the morning.
Padres manager Bob Melvin made the decision easier for Fernando, opting to give him the series finale off ahead of Monday's off day before the next series in Toronto.
"He's doing better than I would expect, but with the conditions out there, I don't think it's a good idea to him out."
The conditions are wet and rainy in the not always sunny Philadelphia. Melvin added that Tatis should be available off the bench to pinch hit this afternoon but his preference is to give him two full days off before heading to Rogers Centre where the turf has been known to add to the wear and tear on outfielders.
“That kind of all factors in with the off day tomorrow — to try to give him a little bit more time knowing that you’re playing on turf."
Tatis Jr. is hitting .283 with 17 home runs and 53 runs batted in since rejoining the active roster late in April.
