Fernando Tatis Jr. is set to make his return to the San Diego Padres lineup on Monday against the Detroit Tigers, where he’ll bat second and take up his usual spot in right field. This marks his first time back on the field since June 21, following a two-plus-month hiatus due to a stress reaction in his right thigh bone. With MLB’s roster expansion kicking in on Sunday, the Padres made some corresponding roster moves by optioning outfielder Bryce Johnson and designating outfielder José Azocar for assignment.
Back in August, Tatis had hinted at a September return but didn’t nail down a specific date, leaving that decision to be made in conjunction with the training staff, manager, and general manager A.J. Preller. “But I’m definitely playing baseball the next month,” Tatis confidently predicted.
Before his injury, the 25-year-old was enjoying another outstanding season. In 80 games, he posted a solid .279/.354/.468 batting line, smacked 14 home runs, drove in 36 runs, and stole eight bases in 11 attempts. His OPS+ of 129 is his highest since 2021, the year he finished third in the National League MVP race and secured his second Silver Slugger Award.
As of Monday, the Padres hold a 78-61 record, which places them five games behind in the National League West and tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the top wild-card spot. They also sit three games ahead of the Atlanta Braves, who hold the third wild card, and four games ahead of the New York Mets, who are just outside the playoff bracket. Tatis’ return comes at a crucial time as San Diego pushes for a strong finish to the season and solidifies their playoff standing.
