PEORIA, Ariz. – Fernando Tatis Jr. left the Padres’ Cactus League game against the Reds on Tuesday in the third innings with discomfort on the left shoulder after a difficult defense.
Tatis, whose injury is to his non-shoulder, is expected to be re-evaluated on Wednesday.
The shortest stop of the Padres alternated on his right and then struck a long throw over the diamond to retire Jonathan India, the Reds’ second player. Tatis was immediately removed and walked off the field after being judged by manager Jayce Tingler and a team coach.
After retreating to the coaching staff for half an innings, he left Peoria Stadium, accompanied by a member of the medical staff.
Clearly, the Padres cannot afford to be without Tatis, who recorded a record-breaking 14-year setup last month. He raked all spring and posted a 1,092 OPS in 11 games.
Tatis missed five games earlier this month with a non-COVID-related illness. Then he missed a few more days after a hard head was first slid into the home plate, but he never revealed a specific injury. It is unclear whether Tuesday’s ailment is related.