SAN DIEGO — Fernando Tatis Jr. acknowledged conflicting feelings at being named an All-Star for the second time in his profession. On one hand, the accomplishment speaks for itself. On the opposite, Tatis won’t be in Texas subsequent week, whereas he rehabs the stress response in his proper femur in San Diego.
“We’re taking it gradual,” mentioned Tatis, who spoke publicly Friday for the primary time since he was named an All-Star — and the primary time because the day he landed on the IL in June. “However in all probability, it isn’t going to be so long as all of us thought.”
The remaining, Tatis left purposely imprecise. So long as all of us thought? The Padres by no means provided a timetable, so how lengthy, precisely, would that be? Tatis wouldn’t reveal. However he did acknowledge a concern, on the time of prognosis, that the damage would possibly finish his season. That’s now not a priority, he says.
Ideally, in fact, Tatis’ restoration will go one thing just like the restoration of his teammate. On Could 20, Xander Bogaerts fractured a bone in his left shoulder whereas diving for a floor ball. The Padres eyed a two- to three-month restoration interval and a second-half return for Bogaerts.
As a substitute, Bogaerts returned to the lineup Friday night time within the Padres’ 6-1 loss to the Braves at Petco Park. He went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles.
“Feels good,” Bogaerts mentioned. “Really feel regular.”
In a season riddled with accidents, the Padres haven’t precisely flourished. However they haven’t sunk both. Friday’s loss was their fifth straight, however they continue to be squarely within the Nationwide League Wild Card image, all of their targets nonetheless attainable.
Some good well being would go a good distance, in fact, and Bogaerts’ return helps. However the Padres are nonetheless lacking Tatis and Joe Musgrove on the injured checklist. Yu Darvish hadn’t pitched since late Could as a result of a number of accidents when he was positioned on the restricted checklist final week to are inclined to a private household matter, in line with the staff. No particulars have been provided concerning his return.
Finally, the Padres’ success would possibly hinge on the supply of these key gamers. By three months, Tatis was All-Star-caliber, hitting .279 with an .821 OPS. He was additionally clearly restricted by his damage, significantly on the basepaths and in proper discipline.
“Clearly, all people noticed how I used to be wanting, the final couple video games that I used to be on the market within the discipline,” Tatis mentioned. “[I’m] blissful the way it turned out to be an All-Star. On the finish of the day, it’s totally unhappy to not be capable of go and present my face to all of the followers that voted.”
Relaxation and restoration is simply too essential although — and Tatis acknowledged that’s all he’s actually doing proper now. He’s taken some dry swings, however for probably the most half, he’s simply letting his leg heal. It seems to be doing so.
“[It feels] manner higher,” Tatis mentioned. “Waking up and getting away from bed was a ache all the way in which from my proper toe to my hip. That is gone. So it is undoubtedly shifting ahead.”
Tatis hadn’t beforehand gone into such element concerning the specifics of his damage, however it’s clear the choice for a prolonged IL stint was the precise one. Nonetheless, the Padres may use his bat. They personal one of many sport’s high offenses. However recently, they’ve struggled, scoring 5 occasions of their final 4 video games.
Enter Bogaerts. He struggled early within the season, posting a .219 common and a .581 OPS. However within the week earlier than his damage, he’d begun to warmth up. On Friday, he appeared to select up the place he left off, lacing a pair of singles up the center.
“That was actually good to see,” mentioned Padres supervisor Mike Shildt. “I noticed actually good at-bats, and he was shifting good. … Man, it was good to have him again.
Then once more, Bogaerts was the one San Diego hitter with a number of knocks on Friday. After the Braves grabbed a lead with their four-run fifth off Matt Waldron, the Padres mustered solely two singles. Every week in the past, they had been 49-43. Now, after dropping 5 straight, they’re all of a sudden in jeopardy of hitting the All-Star break beneath .500.
“We’ve received to play higher,” Bogaerts mentioned. “We nonetheless have two extra video games, and now we have to complete robust. That’s all we all know. Each recreation issues, and clearly now we have two extra in opposition to these guys. Attempt to flush this one the second we get [out] that door tonight, and be prepared for tomorrow.”
