SAN DIEGO – Dominican Fernando Tatis Jr. took another important step on Monday on his way to a return from a partially dislocated left shoulder injury, in what has perhaps been his busiest day since he suffered the ailment 10 days ago. .
The Padres shortstop (will he be now?) Made about 50 swings on the field during batting practice Monday, a significant workload in his first session on the field. Tatis hit his usual amount of strong lines and impressive home runs, including one that hit the second floor of left field.
Then Tatis jumped out to the grasslands, where he got some flybys in center field and was eventually transferred to right for individual practice with outfielder coach Wayne Kirby. It seems possible — perhaps even probable — that when Tatis returns, she will do so in the gardens. However, the club remains firm in saying that no decision has been made in this regard.
Internally, the Padres believe that strategy could preserve the Dominican for the home stretch. The youngster has suffered a string of four or five shoulder injuries so far this season. The latest dislocation has been the worst and put Tatis on the disabled list on July 31. Although he was eligible to return on Tuesday, he is not ready yet.
At the very least, Tatis will need a few more days of rehab, during which she may continue to work in the gardens. The initial results are positive.
“He’s seeing the ball as it comes off the bat,” Kirby said. “His instincts are impeccable. You shouldn’t have any problems. Your speed will compensate for the adjustments. “
Don’t see it as definitive, Kirby pointed out. Tatis has stated that he is open to the possibility and Kirby has been responsible for instructing him. But the final decision will rest with general manager AJ Preller and manager Jayce Tingler – and it won’t be officially announced until the date approaches.
“That’s up to AJ and company,” Kirby said. “It does not fall on me. My job is to make him feel as comfortable as possible there. If the decision to move to the gardens comes, then we will be ready. “
The Quisqueyan exercises have been exclusively in the central and right prairies. It’s unclear where exactly Tatis would play in the outfield, but it seems like a safe bet to rule out left field, according to Kirby, who said Tatis has “too much of an arm for his left.”
Sure, the priority is that Tatis is in health. Each partial dislocation increases the possibility of a next one. Surgery would stabilize Tatis’s shoulder to prevent future injuries – but it would also end her season.
Needless to say, the Padres would rather avoid surgery, at least until the offseason. Even with three internships on the disabled list this year, Tatis leads the NL with 31 homers and 23 steals on base. His batting line is .292 / .373 / .651. He is the favorite for the National League Most Valuable Player award.
In the midst of the postseason fight, the Padres need Tatis back in the lineup and believe a position change will help him stay there.
“It’s hard to tell the boy not to dive and that he’s not supposed to, because at that point it’s all about instincts,” Kirby said. “Playing shortstop, sometimes the ball is out of your reach and the only way to get to it is by throwing yourself. In the gardens, it all depends on the jump. If you give a good one, you don’t have to jump in. “
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