Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. says he’s ‘undoubtedly taking part in baseball the following month’
SAN DIEGO — San Diego Padres star proper fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. took batting apply on the sector Friday and mentioned he expects to return in September from a stress response in his proper thighbone that has sidelined him for 2 months.
“It felt actually good simply being exterior with the boys, ramping up. Every single day a step nearer,” Tatis mentioned earlier than the Padres performed the New York Mets within the second sport of a four-game sequence between groups in playoff competition.
Tatis hasn’t performed since June 21. He was positioned on the injured checklist on June 24, retroactive to June 22.
Supervisor Mike Shildt mentioned on Thursday that there was a “looser timeline” for Tatis’ return.
“I actually don’t have particular dates,” Tatis mentioned. “I really feel that’s extra a dialog between the coaching employees, the supervisor and myself and A.J. (Preller, the final supervisor). However I’m undoubtedly taking part in baseball the following month. That’s what it seems to be like.”
On the day he was positioned on the IL, Tatis mentioned he had been coping with the damage for basically the entire season. It was first described as a quadriceps damage, however the crew found the stress response after imaging.
Tatis gained the NL Gold Glove and Platinum Glove awards final 12 months in his first season in proper subject.
He was an All-Star at shortstop in 2021 earlier than lacking the 2022 season as a consequence of damage and a PED suspension.
Tatis was hitting .279 with 14 house runs and 36 RBIs when he went on the IL.
“I really feel method higher,” Tatis mentioned Friday. “Every single day we ramp up, I get extra of my legs underneath myself.”
He has been hitting within the indoor cage and mentioned his subsequent step will likely be engaged on defence.
He sprinted at 70 per cent on Thursday.
“Truthfully I really feel I can play baseball with that, however the aim is to get as finest as attainable earlier than I’m on the market on the sector,” he mentioned.
The Padres are 22-8 for the reason that All-Star break. They got here into Friday night time’s sport holding the NL’s second wild-card spot, one-half sport behind Arizona.
“It’s been superb. I mentioned it on the day everyone knew I used to be occurring the IL that it’s an ideal crew,” Tatis mentioned. “Not a single participant can carry any crew. It’s a very good crew. I’m joyful for what we’ve got completed collectively.
“The boys choosing up each single man; it’s not one man, it’s everyone — the complete lineup, the complete rotation. The bullpen is lights out. These boys have been excellent,” he added. “I’m actually pleased with my crew. It’s an ideal group of fellows we’ve got over right here.”
