The Fernando Tatis Jr. suspension has affected every plan the San Diego Padres had this season.
From their playoff hopes to a simple bobblehead giveaway, his absence this season has had, and will have a huge impact in the standings and among the fan base.
“The Padres will announce today that the Sept. 7 Fernando Tatis Jr. bobblehead giveaway has been changed to a Juan Soto City Connect shirsey giveaway,” the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Kevin Acee tweeted on Wednesday.
The Padres will announce today that the Sept. 7 Fernando Tatis Jr. bobblehead giveaway has been changed to a Juan Soto City Connect shirsey giveaway.
— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) August 16, 2022
Tatis was suspended by the Commissioner’s office for testing positive for Clostebol, a PED.
The suspension was announced last week, and will make him ineligible to play for the remainder of the 2022 season and a portion of the 2023 campaign as well.
It goes without saying that he won’t play in the postseason should the Padres advance.
The Padres Are Not As Dangerous Without Tatis
Fans are terribly disappointed at Tatis and his acts.
However, it’s pretty clear that the Padres are not as dangerous without him.
They are still a very good team, especially after adding Soto, Josh Bell, and Brandon Drury to an offensive core that already included Manny Machado, Jake Cronenworth, and others.
But they lose that edge without their best player.
Whether people like or forgive him for what he did, Tatis is a top-10 player in MLB when healthy.
He has missed the whole 2022 campaign with a wrist injury to this point, but last year, he slashed .282/.364/.611 with 42 homers and 25 stolen bases in just 130 games.
He is a true difference-maker but won’t be around this season to help get the Padres over the hump.
He ruined more than just bobblehead day with his actions.
NEXT: Padres Veteran Comments On Meeting With Fernando Tatis Jr.
