Padres still holding their breath
For a brief moment Friday night, the San Diego Padres feared the worst. Fernando Tatis Jr., off to the best offensive start of his career and arguably one of baseball’s most valuable players through the season’s first month, exited the Padres’ 9-4 win over the Pirates after being struck on the left forearm during his at-bat in the third inning.
He was diagnosed with a left arm contusion, and X-rays came back negative, but the jolt of concern that spread through the dugout and fanbase was real.
“I feel good, just a little bit sore,” Tatis said after the game, his arm tightly wrapped in the clubhouse. “Bones came out good, so I’m going to sleep on it, see how it feels tomorrow and go from there.”
Tatis was immediately visited by manager Mike Shildt and the team’s medical staff after the hit-by-pitch. He stayed on to run the bases before being replaced by Oscar Gonzalez.
ALSO READ: Triston Casas Suffers ‘Significant Knee Injury’: How Will Red Sox Fill First Base?
So far this year, Tatis has been a constant in a Padres lineup that has dealt with more than its fair share of absences. Through 30 games, he’s hitting .345 with eight home runs and 18 RBIs, and ranks among MLB’s best in OPS (1.021, 3rd), on-base percentage (.419, 6th), and slugging (.602, 6th).
Shildt knows the numbers and what they mean to the Padres. “We’re fortunate,” he said, acknowledging the relief that the injury didn’t appear more serious on initial examination. Still, nothing is certain just yet. Hit-by-pitches to the arm can cause complications, especially for a player with a past riddled with injuries. In 2023, Tatis finally stayed on the field for a full run, winning the Platinum Glove in his first full year in the outfield and appearing in a career-high 141 games. But he was limited to 102 games in 2024, in part due to a stress fracture in his right femur.
Tatis said he didn’t want to jump to conclusions this time, even as the initial scare loomed large. The Padres can’t afford to lose him, especially not now.
ALSO READ: Padres Injury Update: San Diego Hit with Injury Triple-Whammy in Brutal Day
Just over a month into the season, San Diego has been ravaged by injuries. Luis Arraez and Jason Heyward only just returned from the injured list. Jackson Merrill, out since April 6 with a right hamstring strain, is set to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A San Antonio on Saturday. Yu Darvish, dealing with right elbow inflammation, has yet to make a single appearance this year.
The hope is that Tatis won’t be joining that list.
mlb
MLB 
