Dominican infielder Fernando Tatis Jr. returned to action this Tuesday in Spring Training 2023 of the Major Leagues after being absent from his San Diego Padres team for more than a year and a half from the playing fields.
Tatis Jr.’s extended absence came due to a broken left hand, which was later exacerbated by an 80-game suspension for failing a drug test.
In this Tuesday’s game, the Dominican was placed as second bat and designated hitter in manager Bob Melvin’s lineup for the preseason game against the San Francisco Giants.
“It was good to be back. I felt amazing,” Tatis Jr. said after the game that ended in a 7-5 victory for the Padres.
Tatis Jr. had not seen action in a game with the Padres since October 3, 2021, after showing up to training camp last year with a broken wrist and later facing the aforementioned penalty.
“I definitely sat down and thought a little bit about what happened to me all this time. I am grateful to be back here, appreciating every moment”, stated Tatis Jr. who in this period off the pitch underwent two surgeries to repair a broken wrist and a surgical procedure on his left shoulder.
Tatis Jr. came up to bat three times Tuesday, drawing a walk and missing his last two at-bats while scoring a run.
The versatile 24-year-old put his leg speed to the test by stealing bases, reaching second base safely in the first inning and then scored on Jake Cronenworth’s triple.
Tatis Jr. is off Wednesday and is expected to play defense in right field for the first time this preseason in Thursday’s game against the Seattle Mariners.