SAN DIEGO – All-Star Shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr.of the San Diego Padres spent about an hour catching fly balls in center field on Friday, which generated some intrigue about what position he will play when he returns from his last shoulder injury.
Tatis Jr. covered slightly a lot of ground, jumped up to steal some teammates home runs in batting practice, and threw some balls to the kids in the stands.
“A little cardio,” Tatis Jr. said with a smile, “but we’ll see what happens.”
While catching balls, Tatis Jr. received advice from members of the coaching staff.
When asked if he was intentionally working in center field, Tatis Jr. said, “Get out a little bit and see what’s going to be the best for the team.”
Tatis Jr. partially dislocated his left shoulder from an abrupt sweep at third base on July 30 and was placed on the 10-day disabled list the following day. It was the third time he left a game this year after partially dislocating his left shoulder and the second time he entered the IL with the injury. He also missed two spring training games after injuring his shoulder.
The Padres have mentioned that surgery could be an option if Tatis Jr.’s shoulder did not improve this season at IL. Tatis Jr., eligible to return Tuesday, said they may spend a few days beyond the 10-day period, but he intends to return.
“I will definitely be back this season,” said electrifying Tatis Jr., who is having an MVP-caliber season.
Tatis Jr. leads the National League with 31 home runs and 23 stolen bases. He’s hitting .292 with 70 RBIs.
The Dominican has wowed fans since his 2019 rookie season with his jump plays at shortstop, his daring moves on the bases and his bats after home runs. But he hurt his shoulder this season while swinging the bat, diving for a ball at shortstop and sliding feet first.
“He’s recovering better than everyone thought. I’m feeling pretty good right now,” Tatis said.
He said the pain this time “was much more. This time it stayed a little longer, so I probably have a little more inflammation. The good thing is that we are recovering quite well.”
When asked about concerns about long-term damage, he said: “Not much. I have been talking to the doctors. I know my body very well. They are all working towards what is going to be best for me now and in the long term. and I feel like everyone is on the same page. “
Tatis Jr. said he has been hitting for three days.
Padres manager Jayce Tingler said Tatis Jr. has made “very significant improvements” but “there is still a long way to go.”
Tingler said Tatis Jr. has always displayed “an incredible ability to bounce back and bounce back.”
The current San Diego center fielder is the winner of the Golden Glove, Trent grisham. If Tatis Jr. moves to center, the rookie Ha-seong Kim or Jake Cronenworth They could play shortstop.
Tatis Jr. became the first Padres player to be voted to start an All-Star Game since Tony Gwynn in 1999.
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