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PEORIA, Arizona – If there was one scene the Padres wanted to avoid this spring, it was probably this.
Fernando Tatis Jr. left the Cactus League game against the Reds in the third inning on Tuesday with a left shoulder discomfort after a difficult play on a ground ball at shortstop. He will be reassessed on Wednesday, the team said.
The Padres’ star shortstop turned to his right to play with his backhand, then threw a long throw through the diamond to get the Reds second goal off Jonathan India. Tatis ‘throw was awkward, and he immediately appeared to be uncomfortable – although it was interesting to note that it was Tatis’ non-throwing shoulder that was causing him pain.
Tatis was assessed by manager Jayce Tingler and a team coach and left the pitch shortly thereafter. After a half-round in the coaching hall, Tatis walked out of Peoria Stadium accompanied by a member of the team’s medical staff.
Clearly, the Padres can hardly afford to do without Tatis, who signed a record 14-year extension last month. He raked all spring, posting 1,092 OPS in 11 games.
Tatis missed five games earlier this month due to an illness unrelated to COVID. Then he missed a few more days after a hard headfirst slide into home plate left him bumped up a bit, though the team never revealed a specific injury. It is not known if Tuesday’s shoulder disease is related.
The Padres have other options to play the shortstop, in case Tatis runs out at any point during the regular season. Manny Machado has a long history there, and Jake Cronenworth and Ha-Seong Kim – who are expected to share time at second – can play from shortstop as well.
But given his ridiculous output across 143 career games – .301 / .374 / .582 with 39 homers and 27 interceptions – any injury to Tatis would be crushing for a Padres team with World Series ambitions and the Dodgers at face off in the National Western League.
San Diego is already facing injury issues involving center fielder Trent Grisham (hamstring strain) and wide receiver Austin Nola (fractured left middle finger). Their status for the opening day remains in question.
The club have not offered any details on a schedule for Tatis.
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