Padres hope Tatis brings energy, maturity when PED ban ends
SAN DIEGO (AP) — El Niño is coming.
It might be fairly the storm.
Thursday evening at Arizona, Fernando Tatis Jr. will probably be introduced because the leadoff hitter for the San Diego Padres and settle into a giant league batter’s field for the primary time for the reason that final sport of the 2021 season.
One of baseball’s most electrifying gamers will return from an 80-game PED suspension that shocked and angered his teammates and a whole fan base — and tempered his standing as one of many sport’s most outstanding and likable stars. If a jaw-dropping energy show throughout a rehab stint at Triple-A El Paso is any indication, the Padres will probably be getting again the participant who was an All-Star at shortstop in 2021, when he led the NL with 42 homers.
Perhaps equally vital is the vitality and swagger the 24-year-old from the Dominican Republic brings each time he steps on the sector, whether or not it’s hitting tape-measure residence runs after which dancing within the dugout, or baserunning exploits that typically defy physics.
With his troublesome left shoulder surgically repaired throughout his suspension, Tatis will play proper area and might be the spark the Padres desperately want to beat a gradual begin for a lineup that features fellow superstars Manny Machado, Juan Soto and Xander Bogaerts, and has baseball’s third-highest payroll.
“It’s big, man,” stated Bogaerts, who took Tatis’ spot at shortstop when he signed a $280 million, 11-year free agent contract in December. “Time heals a lot. What I’ve seen so far is someone who wants to come in and show everyone that he’s still the real deal and what he did was a mistake and he wants to show that he’s matured from that.”
Tatis’ maturity has been beneath a microscope for the reason that then-22-year-old signed a $330 million, 14-year contract previous to the 2021 season, beginning with an uncommon scene that September when Machado screamed at Tatis that “it’s not about you!” throughout a dugout confrontation. He broke his left wrist the subsequent offseason — reportedly in a bike accident in his native Dominican Republic. He was on the cusp of getting back from that when his PED suspension was introduced on Aug. 12. He blamed his optimistic take a look at on a cream he stated he used for ringworm.
He ended up lacking all of San Diego’s season, together with a stirring run to the NL Championship Series.
Right-hander Joe Musgrove was one of many workforce leaders who referred to as out Tatis on the time. Musgrove made a rehab begin for El Paso final week and stated Tatis “appears to be like nice. He’s anxious. His vitality is basically excessive, he’s being a great teammate down there, he’s engaged, all of the issues that you just need to see from him.
“I know he’s extremely excited to get back and especially with us not coming out of the gates as hot as everyone might have expected, I know he’s itching to get back in there and try to make a difference.”
Tatis despatched ripples by baseball when he hit three residence runs and had eight RBIs whereas going 5 for six Thursday evening for El Paso. He was 17 of 33 with seven homers and 15 RBIs in eight rehab video games, slashing .515/.590/1.212.
“For me personally, I’ve been waiting for this Tatis thing for a while,” stated second-year supervisor Bob Melvin. “I’m really looking forward to that. I want to write his name in the lineup card and he wants to get back in the lineup, so it’s exciting.”
Melvin stated he discovered throughout spring coaching that Tatis completely belongs within the leadoff spot.
“He’s the type of guy who takes pressure off other guys. He’s a bright-lights guy,” the supervisor stated. “There’s just an energy he brings. I hit him in different spots and then the first day he led off, it was like, there was just something different about it. I can’t explain it.”
Tatis grew up within the sport on the toes of his father, who performed 11 seasons within the huge leagues, and his nickname, “El Niño,” means “little boy” in Spanish. It’s additionally the title of a climate sample that brings rain. Tatis was again at Petco Park on Monday, raining lengthy batting observe residence runs from left area to straightaway heart.
Tatis and his teammates know the celebrity will probably be heckled.
Early in Tatis’ rehab stint, San Francisco Giants minor leaguer Kade McClure referred to as him a “cheater” on Twitter after permitting a mammoth residence run to the suspended participant.
At FanFest in February, Tatis stated he has already handled destructive fan response on the street throughout his profession “and I’m definitely looking forward to that challenge” in what he stated can be each a enjoyable and emotional season.
DH Nelson Cruz, 42, a fellow Dominican, has recognized Tatis since he was a child. Cruz was suspended 50 video games in August 2013 for his connection to the Biogenesis case and is aware of what Tatis will face.
“We’re here to support him, we’re here to embrace him, we’re going to show our love and we’re going to be behind him no matter what happens,” Cruz stated.
Corey Stewart, a Padres fan for 40 years, stated he was “shocked and furious” when Tatis was suspended, however has since forgiven the star, which is the overwhelming sentiment in San Diego. “All I want is a ring. I want a World Series and having him back and him being the exciting and insane player he is, will help them get that,” stated Stewart, 52.
Owner Peter Seidler made a rapid journey to Sacramento throughout Tatis’ rehab stint to have lunch with El Niño and watch him play. Seidler will probably be in Phoenix on Thursday evening.
During spring coaching, Seidler stated he expects “greatness” from Tatis. “I believe his trajectory is basically optimistic. I consider within the younger man, interval. He’s going to be, I believe, a good higher model of himself. It’s going to be enjoyable.”
Bogaerts is wanting ahead to sharing in Tatis’ vibe.
“Give me some. Especially on days that you don’t feel good, I’ll be like, ’Ignite me!” the shortstop stated with a smile.
