Outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. is going to be reinstated from the 60-day injured list today, reports Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The outfielder is currently on the 60-day IL, so the Friars will need to make a move to open a 40-man roster spot for him.
Tatis, 25, was having a strong season before his injury interruption. He hit .279/.354/.468 in 80 games, producing a wRC+ of 133, while also stealing eight bases and getting defensive grades around league average. He had already accrued 2.3 wins above replacement, in the eyes of FanGraphs, in roughly half a season before suffering a right femoral stress reaction and landing on the injured list.
His return is surely good news for the Padres, though they will now have to make some tough decisions about playing time since so much of their lineup has been performing well. David Peralta has taken over right field while Tatis has been out and currently has a .272/.335/.426 line and 117 wRC+ on the year. Peralta could be moved over to left field but Jurickson Profar is having an even better year, with a .280/.382/.459 slash and 140 wRC+.
The designated hitter spot doesn’t really provide a solution either, as Luis Arráez is in there most days. He is playing through a torn ligament in his thumb and his production is down a bit from previous years, but his .309/.343/.384 line is still above league average, leading to a 106 wRC+. The club could put him at first base but that might exacerbate his thumb issue and Jake Cronenworth is having a solid season there anyway, hitting .249/.326/.408 for a 110 wRC+.
Cronenworth could move to second but the club has Xander Bogaerts there. Bogaerts isn’t having an amazing season overall but has been far better since returning from an IL stint due to a shoulder fracture. He’s hit .325/.360/.431 since coming off the IL for a 124 wRC+. Moving Bogaerts to shortstop while Ha-Seong Kim is on the IL could theoretically help with the logjam but Kim isn’t expected to be out for much longer.
It’s a good problem for the club to have and perhaps it will allow manager Mike Shildt to give all these players a bit of extra rest in the coming weeks. The Padres are tied with the Diamondbacks for the first and second Wild Card spots in the National League. Atlanta is in the third spot, three games back of San Diego and Arizona, with the Mets another game behind Atlanta. That doesn’t guarantee the Padres anything but perhaps everyone can get scattered off-days here and there to stay fresh for the final games on the schedule and then the postseason.
Gotta figure out how to keep him on the field for 150+ games in one season.
He could play a bit more careful. He puts his body on the line, and pays a price for it.
I think he reportedly played with his leg fracture for like a month.
If they would have noticed that sooner he probably would have done less damage and been back sooner.
Agreed. It was a misdiagnosis and frankly inexcusable on the part of the medical staff.
“Misdiagnosis”….Seems a 1st year doctor could diagnose a broken leg. Are you sure you didn’t mean he was encouraged(by himself or the team) to “play thru” the injury?…
Sports teams do have world class physicians at their disposal and while doctors are not perfect, they can “diagnose” a simple broken leg can’t they? It’s very hard to criticize doctors unless you have a medical background yourself and how do we know that doctors(or the team)didn’t tell Nando he could “play thru it”?
Some fractures especially stress fractures are often missed. You are saying it as though a clean break was missed. Team doctors rely on same type of 2D imaging for x-rays that all others have to use. And fracture have and will be missed until a new technology emerges.
Take steroids again
let’s go!!!!! as the Padres make their playoff push great timing
Great to have him back!
I wonder if he still has some of that cream for the stretch run because if the Padres get 2021 fernando back and not ~800 ops Fernando then they can beat the best of the best
I’m kidding about the steroids but Fernando has to get better offensively and defensively (his defense is NOT like last years)
800+ ops tatis the padres can still beat anyone.
lol!
I disagree, he was doing just fine before he got hurt. Dude was chosen to be an all-star…
tnmf
Any team can always beat any other team
The White Sox are 5-5 against Cleveland this year
His offense has not come back to pre-suspension levels.
I don’t know what you mean about defense. He has been as much a weapon out in right field this year as he was last year. He is a way better right fielder than he ever was a shortstop, or could ever hope to be.
To be fair, I looked up Fangraphs. They have Tatis -2.6 defensively in 2024, compared to 7.4 last year.
I honestly don’t see it, but I guess you and them must be onto something. Hopefully being in less pain from the stress fracture will improve things for Nando.
The RF move was the right decision and he won a gold glove because of it, but the advanced metrics haven’t carried over to this year
Defense isn’t everything of course but a noticeable decline is not good for a 25 year old
It’s an 80-game sample size which isn’t anything to draw definitive conclusion from. His sprint speed and arm strength are still there.
-noticeable decline, 25yo
Dude was literally playing on a broken leg. I suggest he’ll heal proper.
He had a broken femur. Basically, you or I would be stuck in a cast up to our balls and on crutches and he was playing through it.
Tatis’ advanced stats look like those of an elite hitter in 2024:
xwOBA 97th (percentile)
xBA 98th
xSLG 96th
Avg EV 94th
Barrel % 90th
hard hit % 96th
Max EV 98th
Arm Strength 99th
His speed was down to 85th percentile, after being in the mid 90’s last year which is understandable considering his injury.
Dude is one of the most gifted players in the game and typically the ones that can match those batting #’s aren’t also freak athletes with nukes capable of winning Platinum gloves.
Ones speed usually goes down when running on a broken leg
My bad everyone please call me an idiot and mute me for not knowing about his injuries
There was a Twilight Zone episode where a guy was muted (ignored) by everyone except for one person. I will be the one person who doesn’t mute you Sad.
I remember that episode! I’m going to be going insane!!!
Because typically you are in a cast and on crutches?
Great to have a talent like him back, but the Pads have been on quite a tear without him. It will be interesting to see the lineup Schildt comes up with, I would assume Tatis in the 2 hole with Profar sliding down behind Bogaerts.
I hope not on Profar going behind Bog. Profar is leading the NL in OBP – not a guy you want batting 5 or 6. He needs to be in the 2 which requires Tatis to go 4th, Manny to 3rd.
Cro has been cold so put him at 7th, Bog 5th and Merrill stays 6th where he has thrived (so just leave him alone!)
Good problem to have.
Kudos to the Padres’ hitting coach. Profar was awful last year, hitting .236 with a .680 OPS for the Rockies.
No joy on Blake Street.
Cassavell had an interesting prediction this morning.
Against RHPs
Arraez
Profar
Tatis
Merrill
Machado
Cronz
Bogey
SS
C
Seems a tad too aggressive to me, brew. I don’t think adding any pressure to protect Tatis and Manny does the kid any good. Idk fo sho tho!
Yeah I agree, just thought it was interesting given it was Cassavell. Merrill can probably handle it but why push it. Maybe that’s next years OD lineup.
I don’t think anyone is going be too happy with who is chosen to bat 7th but it’s a good problem to have if you ask me. But I doubt the players care as much as fans do! Jim on Jon and Jim suggested Profar at 7 and got slammed by hate mail.
Today’s lineup reflects a LH opponent SP, and rest day for Profar. Both Solano and Peralta are on the card. So we’ll wait until Wednesday for the big much-anticipated lineup reveal
Most like profar will hit 2nd, 3rd or 4th. Manny has been cooking and should be batting in the top 4. Merrill should be batting in the top 5. Xander should be batting 6th or 7th.
JM is doing well as a 21 year old rookie. Let comfortable stay where he is instead of trying to force more on him by moving him up. 2025 he is in the top 3 maybe or 5 for sure.
Just my comfort zone with the guy. Pro or Bog or Cro can hold the 5th spot depending on where the others fall in the lineup.
I would look at profar at lead off with arraez being moved to 2nd or 5th or 6th because arraez hasn’t been that good with the thumb injury
It would look like
Profar
Arraez
Tatis
Machado
Merrill
Bogey
And so on
I get your point but I don’t think he will be phased at all batting 5th. AJ cassavel has him batting 4th and manny 5th.
I just want tatis followed by manny. Which means 2-3 or 3-4. Profar likely in front or behind.
What I don’t like about Merrill batting 6 is then you get Merrill cronenworth back to back. I’d prefer a righty or two between them. They have been doing that a lot with Merrill – Peralta but I’m not sure how often I prefer solano batting for cronenworth and losing his defense. I’d rather save Peralta/solano to bat for cathers and shortstops. Especially with Kim out.
Anyways I think Merrill’s bat to balls skills are so good he will be fine anywhere.
I think they will also get Profar off his feet some and start Peralta in left a few games. The team is really deep with good options now.
Yeah I don’t think we’ll see Cronenworth and Merrill hitting back to back.
Arraez
Profar
Tatis
Machado
Cronenworth
Boegarts
Merrill
Is how I expect the top 7 to play out when those guys are in the lineup. Merrill hitting 7th is a huge asset for the bottom 1/3 of the lineup. He’ll be moving way up in the order soon enough. You could flip him and Cronenworth but that feels like messing with a good thing for this year.
Papi – you are the closest, I think. I didn’t think they would drop Bog to 6th.
After considering a lot of ideas, having Arráez at 5 or 6 isn’t a bad thought. His singles would be a lot more RBI opportunity than say, Bog or Cro at that spot.
@Simm I don’t think they are going to move Merrill that high in the order this year. From recent comments, management sees no reason to change what is working, i.e. having Merrill in or around the 6 spot.
5th spot is pretty around 6th.
What I don’t want is him batting 7th which is a real possibility.
@Simm The Padre beat writer, AJ Cassavell, agrees with you. He has Merrill going 4th now against righties, and fifth against lefties. We’ll see what they do.
EDIT: You saw that too, I see.
Not sure I agree with him but he makes some sense. I just don’t think you bat manny 5th.
Having to face tatis, manny and Merrill one after the other sounds rough for pitchers.
Either way the lineup will be solid. Though better when Kim is back.
Manny seems best at batting cleanup because he’s the best at driving the ball for extra bases, but if we factor platoon decisions I could see arraez bat 3rd then Tatis batting 2nd with profar at lead off
Then that would be both then right then left then right then say Merrill at 5th and bogey at 6th and cronenworth at 7th
1. Arraez
2. Pro
3. Manny
4. Cro
5. Tatis
6. Merrill
7. Bogey
8. SS
9. C
Makes the most sense, for now
I’d flip Tatis and Cro – which gets the extra AB or which one do you want batting in 1st inning with 1 on and 2 out?
I’ll take Tatis.
I like the L-R rotation, and it gives Tati time to acclimate. If he’s up to speed, flip-flop em tomorrow.
I also think they should consider giving Profar some starts at first vs righties. So they can get his bat and Peralta’s bat both in the lineup. Which means benching Xander on those days or him moving over to short.
I know the whole thing is tricky with Xander and him playing short but we are by far the best lineup when he does.
Then giving cronenworth or arraez days off vs lefties with solano getting some starts. They have been doing this for the most part already.
Arraez (L)
Tatis (R)
Profar (B)
Manny (R)
Crone (L)
X (R)
Merrill (L)
Higgy (R)
Kim (R)
I can live with this DB. I’m not as much L/R as priority so, flip Pro and Tatis because Pro is leading league in OBP and Tatis has more SLG to move them in.
Dropping Merrill makes the least sense, but that could very well be the lineup DB!
I don’t really like dropping Merrill either, but it spreads out our most clutch hitters (Profar and Merrill), so that one or the other will basically be able to hit in the ninth.
I hope the Pads keep batting Arraez and his league average bat at leadoff. Might cost the Pads a game or 2 when he makes the last out with a better hitter waiting on deck
I’d go
LF Profar
RF Tatis
3B Manny
2B Xander
CF Merrill
DH Areaez
1B Crone
C Higash-usano
SS Kim
If you’re really worried about that late inning left-handed reliever, you’ve got Diaz or Solano to hit.
Arraez hitting later in the lineup gives him more opportunities to drive in runs since the players in front of him should be on base and in scoring position a lot. His hit-heavy OBP will play better there than at leadoff.
I don’t hate it.
If it’s a late game and Arraez is at bat and we need a hit I feel perfectly fine with that. Matter of fact teams have at times like that walked him to get to Profar. So mangers feel that way as well.
Simm
It’s an interesting conundrum for the “Batting Average!” fans.
Would they rather have their leadoff guy getting hits with nobody on and their #6 guy walking after a double or the other way around?
Take the walks leading off and the hits with runners on
Bet they go 1,4,6 or 1,4,7 with the L hitters against righty SPs.
Brew- they were batting cronenworth 4th vs righties back when Tatis was playing. So there is a strong chance that continues.
Guess we shall see if Shildt decides to use this as a reason to change things up or stay with what he was doing before.
Yay
I wonder who is removed from the roster? I would guess backup infielder, occasional outfielder, Tyler Wade, who has terrible batting stats and isn’t really needed for the final 23 games.
It would probably sting to last the first 139 games and then get cut, but that’s baseball.
I really wish that more than 2 roster spots were added in September.
Truth – getting back our RF should mean Johnson is the guy. Has options (Tyler doesn’t) can’t play SS in a pinch so, it’s Johnson.
Wonder if we will see Ahmed up. McCoy has been good at short but his bat is weaker than Ahmed’s who also has a fairly weak bat.
Unless Kim is coming back in a few days I think Ahmed does come up for McCoy. He hasn’t been horrible for a guy that is a light hitting defensive SS getting his first shot. So, I’m ok with him for 15 games but will take better if it’s out there.
Same
Hey LTC, that McCoy guy really isn’t that bad!
I’ve never replied to myself but seemed appropriate after McCoy’s game tonight.
Yeah, Bryce Johnson or Tyler Wade could be removed from the roster. I think we keep all three catchers to not hurt Campusano’s confidnence, and 3 catchers are common in September.
Johnson has more use as a defensive replacement and pinch runner for Peralta. However, with Tatis coming back, Peralta will play less and Johnson is therefore less needed.
However, I think that Wade is also not needed.
Wade is a free agent after this season, so perhaps letting Wade walk now is fine, and we can preserve an option on Johnson.
With 23 games less, and the playoffs basically guaranteed, wracking our brains over who is the 28th man on the roster doesn’t really matter. If I had the choice, I would choose to remove Tyler Wade.
For shortstop, SD would still have McCoy, Kim coming back, Bogaerts, and Cronenworth who hasn’t appeared there since 2022. There are only 23 games left.
Truth, I agree – the 28th man shouldn’t matter and not the biggest problem in game.
That said, if Kim come back, McCoy is the best to option. Tyler has a lot of experience in clubhouse as a difference, both defensive, light hitting. Tyler can play OF too though.
It’s gotta be a (90% sure) Johnson DFA. Pads need the 28 and 40 cleared.
Yeah, you’re probably right. Wade stays, but he might not make the playoff roster.
Wade has been here since spring training, and I see him in a lot of Padres’ instagram posts. Sending him down at the 85% mark of the season because he might be 1% less useful than Bryce Johnson or Mason McCoy would look bad in the clubhouse.
Wade is nearly the perfect 28th guy. He can pinch run, pinch bunt and can play just about anywhere on the field if needed. He is also a real vibes guy. He seems to be in charge of dump Gatorade on dudes after a walk off.
Johnson just brings less to the table.
McCoy stays until Kim is back or Ahmed is added.
Also should have Darvish back Wednesday or Thursday. Everything is coming together.
The GatorWade shower is key
There is an art to it for sure!
Just ask snell…nearly for a concussion with the giants
Snell always seems concussed (dazed and confused mannerisms)
Seriously though, I wish he were still a Padre. Looks like we’ll avoid him later next week, which is Pads good fortune. They also avoid Skubal, so lucky.
Baba wawa
No rehab assignment?
He has been in Arizona getting in dozen of at bats vs live pitching. They bring dudes in there so he can get more at bats then waiting around for 4 at bats a game.
A really good player. Tons of tools. Impact bat. Still not nearly the force as he was on the juice (Ohtani like production ) no doubt about that.
He never played a game on the juice, as you say. He was already injured. Anyway, he never popped while Active.
And you know this how?
If only he could keep taking clostebol then maybe he could stay on the field
If only you had original material then maybe you could keep telling jokes.
Lame
The NFL owns Thanksgiving and are on the verge of taking Christmas away from the NBA. It blows my mind the MLB cannot take advantage of the three big summer holidays. Memorial the 4th and Labor Day and have all of their teams playing on that day memorial and Labor Day should be mandatory that all teams play on
Your best post ever, congrats!
Thanks homie. I just spit out some rhymes and hope they catch on. I’m happy you are reading up on my posts
Padres are playing who cares about the rest
The CBA mandates teams play no more than 20 days without an off day. Mandating teams play on Labor Day would complicate scheduling. There are still 11 games on the slate, and teams like the Padres elected to play today and have their off day on Tuesday.
The bigger problem MLB has is they are making their games too hard to access. The stupid local black out rules, and constant shuffling of games off MLB.tv and onto other services, is making it impossible for many fans to watch their team play.
Anywhere there is a situation where you literally can’t watch your team on TV, even if you knuckle down and buy cable, MLB should be going out of its way to remedy that. It’s cool Manfred has paid lip service to the problem, but that’s all it’s been so far.
I’m disagreeing about that being a good problem to have. Maybe losing Bogaerts wouldn’t be terrible but who’d cover his contract? Nice guy but that doesn’t win ball games.
In the interim
Arraez at 1B or Tatis Jr get him some reps there hopefully less stressful of a position this year
Cronenworth shifts to 2nd
Bogaerts back to ss or cronenworth at ss
Machado
Profar
Merrill
Peralta
DH Tatis or arraez
Bogaerts will be staying at SS. Shildt already put that to bed. Arraez will likely DH with Cronenworth at 1B unless Cronenworth is on bench against tough LHP.
Happy to see Fernando Tatis, Jr. back.
The bold move would be for him to play shortstop until Kim returns. Too great a chance of an injury risk so it will not happen. Although the one game at shortstop would make a lot of rotissrie competitors happy.
Most likely, Tatis takes some at-bats from Peralta and Arraez. Merrill and Profar will stay at CF and LF. Higgy, Campy and Diaz catch. Manny at 3B. Bogey at 2B and Crony at 1B. Shortstop is the weakest link until Kim returns. Remember Bogey was also injured not too long ago and Arraez is injured now. Just sayin’. Padres want to catch Snakes, Dodgers seem out of reach.
I wouldn’t rule out the division just yet. 5 games back and the Padres still have one more series with the Dodgers left. It’s a long shot but if they’re at the very least 3 back before the series then they got a chance with the tiebreaker if they somehow manage a sweep. Like I said a long shot but it’s more in their control than it seems like
@agent They should go for it, but in addition to playing the Pads, LA plays the Rockies (6 times), Marlins and Angels. With their SOS it is a gargantuan longshot.
This entire article is: “he could move there, but this other guy is having a good year. That other guy could move there, but the other guy there is having a good year too.”
It’s quite possible that this is the most anticipated lineup reveal in MLB history. Millions will be watching
Rey
“Expert analysis”
Tatis
Arráez
Machado
Profar
Bogaerts
Cronenworth
Merrill
Higgy
Kim
No bull, just chicken.
Lad to see Tatis back in time for the playoffs. This weekend the Tigers celebrated the 1984 World series team. How about a do over this weekend 40 years later! Looking forward to this series with the Pads. Good test for a young Tigers team against a playoff team like SD. It’s very much a long shot for the Tigers to make the playoffs so I’ll be cheering for you guys if they don’t.
@ Motor, best of luck! Who’s this young LF SP you’re throwing at us? (sorry if I’m naive). His numbers look amazing
Looks like an opener? SD has trouble with young LH guys they have never seen before, it seems! Maybe we only see him for 1-2 innings.
Thanks LT. Yeah, looks like he’s never gone more than 3 innings this year
Tyler Holton. He is the Tigers best reliever and has been tabbed as an opener a couple times lately. He was a diamond in the rough they grabbed last year off waivers from Arizona and he has been lights out ever since.
He’s lights out through 2, nasty sweeper. Gave Merrill a cutter – his only mistake so far.
Love to meet in October, Bummer! Cheers bub
AND no one had Solano in the 3 spot! No winners tonight folks. Thanks for playing and come back Wednesday!
Which is where Profar or Tatis will hit when both are in the lineup.
Glad Tatis got that ringworm all taken care of! Play ball.
I guess I found where Hack comedians post
Bebo is playing today. Profar is sitting. for a day.
After getting Prfar some rest today, looks like it’s going to be a lineup vs RHP that looks like:
Arraez
Tatis
Profar
Machado
Cronenworth
Merrill
Bogaerts
Kim (when he returns this week)
Higashioka
Vs LHP insert Campusano at catcher and Solano into where you want to get a guy a day’s rest. Probably Cronenworth’s spot in the lineup.
Still leaves Peralta, Wade, and Diaz available on the bench.
What a great position to be in.
The Great San Diego Fire Sale of 2024-2025 is coming. It’s gonna be so fun to watch these guys eat a ton of money to get nothing in return and hopefully return to contention in 2032
That may be the worst post on this thread and that is saying a lot considering the moronic posts about ringworm. Padres ownership has already said they plan to be back over the CBT threshold in 2025, so no fire sale coming.
Thanks for making even the worst commenters on this board look really, really good.
So sorry. I guess this isn’t a planet fitness judgement free zone. But when they start trading the likes of Machado, Musgrove, Cronenworth, and Darvish next off season in my opinion I’m not gonna say I told you so.
When that doesn’t happen are you going to come back and apologize? Then STFU.
Welcome back Fernando Tatis. Always the best to compete against the best.
Extremely deep lineup, strong starting pitching , lights out bullpen. That’s a winning combo. Let’s see what happens , baseball is a crapshoot , but the Pads have a lot of loaded dice.
They don’t help your jokes.
Juicer