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SAN DIEGO – It’s been two years since Fernando Tatis Jr.’s big league breakthrough came on opening day 2019 at Petco Park – a packed house greeted him with the type of ovation that made it clear that these fans knew what they were waiting for. for.
Two years later, Tatis has become one of the most exciting and recognizable players in the sport – arguably the face of baseball. His numbers are as garish as any 22-year shortstop in history, and he just signed a record-breaking contract to stay in San Diego.
So what has changed for him, personally, during this time?
“Some people start to look at you differently,” Tatis said, speaking on his training day, before the Padres opened their season on Thursday against the D-backs. “But I feel the same. I feel the same. The only difference is that I know I’m going to be here for the long haul. An incredible feeling of that, but I’m the same player, same person, same thing. family member. I can’t wait to stay here for the next 14 seasons. “
Fourteen seasons. This number – the longest contract in baseball history – remains astonishing. Tatis now has 14 seasons with which he will look to bring San Diego his first World Series.
He remains firmly convinced that it will not take that long. Tatis was asked when, exactly, the Padres will keep GM AJ Preller’s promise that Tatis’ extension will help offer City a title.
“Soon,” Tatis said. “Whenever I’m on the pitch they should expect this. This is what I dedicate my job to, this is what I dedicate my life to – is to win and this is to. win here in San Diego. “
Tatis also asked about his bald left shoulder for the first time since being forced out of a Cactus League game on March 23 against the Reds. He says it’s a lifelong problem he’s dealt with from the Rookie ball – but it never got in his way on the pitch.
“It’s nothing that I think people should be worried about,” Tatis said. “I feel good. I feel 100%.”
Tatis couldn’t remember how or exactly when he was first injured and said last week’s outing was entirely preventative.
“It’s something that has always existed,” he said. “Have you seen me play? Diving, swinging, a bit of everything. It’s part of the game. But it’s a great taste at the same time – makes you feel like you’re back.”
Indeed, Tatis is back – looking to build on his fourth place in the National League MVP vote and a season in which he cut .277 / .366 / .571 and was named the MLB first team shortstop. , leading the Padres to their first playoff spot in 14 years.
Not good enough, he said.
“There is everything to prove, there is a lot of work to be done,” Tatis said. “This year I’m hungrier than last year.”
Jersey exchange
Negotiations began when Blake Snell was traded to the Padres in late December. They came to fruition on Wednesday – just in time for the start of the regular season.
Snell acquired Wil Myers Uniform # 4 – for what we can only assume to be financial considerations. Myers, the Padres’ longtime No.4, will wear No.5 in the future.
The two reached a “mutually beneficial deal,” according to a source on the team, which would go no further than that. The No.4 has significant meaning for Snell, who wore it throughout his tenure at Tampa Bay.
According to the Padres, anyone who has purchased a jersey with “Snell 24” can exchange it for the new “Snell 4” at the club’s team store.
Baez set for surgery
The besieged Padres relieves enclosure took another hit this week. Right-hander Michel Baez is set to undergo surgery on Tommy John and will miss the season, manager Jayce Tingler said on Wednesday.
“It’s overwhelming for the team, but it’s overwhelming for him,” Tingler said. “He worked so hard in the offseason. But at the same time, he was pretty optimistic about it. After the doctors looked at him, it was a pretty clear decision.”
Prior to his injury, Baez was a marginal candidate for the San Diego roster. At the very least, the 25-year-old right-hander seemed destined to serve as a valuable depth piece in the upper levels of the minor leagues.
Instead, Baez joins a growing list of Padres relievers on the board. Southpaw José Castillo will also miss the season due to Tommy John’s surgery. Austin Adams (right elbow), Pierce Johnson (groin strain), Dan Altavilla (calf strain), Matt Strahm (right knee surgery) and Javy Guerra (right UCL sprain) also missed the day’s list. ‘opening.
Padres to open with rotation of five men
Tingler was not ready to divulge the Padres’ rotation plans after Yu Darvish and Blake Snell got the ball on Thursday and Friday, respectively. But he acknowledged that San Diego would open the season with a five-man rotation.
It seems likely that Joe Musgrove, Chris Paddack and Adrian Morejon will fill the remaining three spots, leaving Ryan Weathers to be fined for a role in a paddock. In the last four trips of the Cactus League rotation, the Padres have lined up Musgrove, Paddack and Morejon to call their two aces.
The five-player rotation should come as no surprise – but there remains a very high possibility that San Diego will expand that squad to six when it plays 17 games in 17 days in mid-April. In this case, Weathers is the obvious candidate to slip into the rotation – at least until Dinelson Lamet is fully rebuilt after his right elbow injury.
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