For the first time since September of 2021, Fernando Tatis Jr. suited up for the San Diego Padres and played a game at the big-league level.
Tatis missed the entirety of the 2022 season after suffering a wrist injury during the lockout and later testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs and receiving an 80-game suspension.
That suspension finally ended on Thursday.
Tatis got the start in right field and was placed in the leadoff spot.
However, despite a Padres win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tatis didn’t exactly have the best night at the plate, going 0-for-5 with a pair of strikeouts as he dealt with a smattering of boos.
Fernando Tatis Jr. went 0-for-5 with a pair of strikeouts in his first game back, but the Padres take home the dub pic.twitter.com/HK7ijs7dJo
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 21, 2023
Unfortunately, Tatis couldn’t make opposing fans any angrier on Thursday, and he had quite a poor night at the dish.
Tatis required multiple surgeries after suffering his wrist injury during the lockout and was ultimately suspended during his rehab assignment, which effectively ended his 2022 season before it even began.
However, the slugger is back and is ready to do some damage.
But he didn’t get that opportunity on Thursday as he returned from his long hiatus.
The Padres did manage to pick up the win and improve to 9-10 on the season.
They just didn’t receive any help from Tatis.
The 24-year-old owns a career average of .291 and has hit a total of 81 home runs.
He made his MLB debut back in 2019.
In the 2021 season, Tatis hit 42 home runs and hit for a .282 average.
Despite a rough night on Thursday, Tatis’ return gives the Padres a major boost.
NEXT: Fernando Tatis Jr. Has Been Gone For A Shocking Amount Of Time
