Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr hits three homers in Triple-A game as he nears return from 80-game PED ban
Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr hits three home runs in Triple-A game as shortstop will make MLB comeback after 80-game PED ban
- Tatis, 24, doubled five for six to drive in eight total runs for El Paso
- The Dominican also returns from several injuries (shoulder and wrist)
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Fernando Tatis Jr hit three home runs in a Triple-A game as he nears his return to MLB action after an 80-game performance-enhancing suspension that forced him to miss the entire 2022 season.
A week before becoming eligible to return for the Padres for the first time (April 20), the 24-year-old shortstop shone for San Diego’s minor league team, the El Paso Chihuahuas, as he went five for six with a double along with his three homers.
In total, the Dominican drove in eight points, proving to be the difference maker in his team’s 19-6 victory against the Albuquerque Isotopes.
His latest performance was all the more impressive considering he is also coming back from several surgeries (wrist and shoulder).
Tatis, who was charged with cheating last week, entered Thursday-evening’s game with a .353/.522/.588 batting line with one homer, six walks and two strikeouts in five Triple-A games.
Fernando Tatis Jr is in sweltering shape in his final appearances for San Diego Padres’ Triple-A team, the El Paso Chihuahuas. The 24-year-old shortstop is just a week away from returning from his 80-match PED ban and last played for the Padres in October 2021
His last three-homer play Thursday raised his slash to a solid .478/.586/1,087.
Statcast measured Tatis’ first homer at 145 yards, according to CBS Sports. His other two didn’t go that far, 418 feet and 362 feet respectively.
A 2021 All-Star at shortstop who has won two Silver Slugger Awards, Tatis will play right when he is back in the big leagues. During his extended suspension, the Padres signed shortstop Xander Bogaerts to a $280 million, 11-year free agent contract in early December.
Tatis joins a lineup that also includes Manny Machado and Juan Soto. The Padres are one of many favorites to reach the World Series this year, following last season’s NL Championship Series.
Tatis brought swagger to the Padres in his first three seasons. He unleashed an emphatic batflip after hitting his second home run in an 11-9 victory in Game 2 of the wild card series against the Cardinals in 2020 and a photo of Tatis was featured on the cover of the MLB video game The Toon’ at the time 21.
After a home run against Trevor Bauer at Dodger Stadium in April 2021, Tatis briefly covered his right eye with his right hand after passing first base to troll Bauer, who closed that spring training with one eye out of a bit of bravado.
Tatis hit an NL-high 42 homers that season and now looks forward to finally hitting the ball out of the park for the Padres when they take on the Arizona Diamondbacks in a three-game series beginning April 20.
Tatis played for the Padres in spring training games before the start of the 2023 season. Viewed at bat against the Seattle Mariners on March 27, 2023