San Diego Padres fans were disappointed to learn this week that star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. is not quite ready to resume swinging a bat yet.
He underwent a follow-up CT scan this week to see if he could take his rehab to hitting, but he didn’t get the green light because the Padres thought he is still not showing the level of healing they would have hoped.
As a result, Tatis has been scooping some grounders and, more recently, throwing and catching the ball.
“Fernando Tatis Jr. is out here in Chicago getting work in. Progress: He’s now catching the ball; before, he was only able to scoop grounders,” Padres reporter Annie Heilbrunn tweeted on Tuesday.
Fernando Tatis Jr. is out here in Chicago getting work in. Progress: He’s now catching the ball; before,he was only able to scoop grounders. #Padres pic.twitter.com/18HFsP4AIC
— Annie Heilbrunn (@annieheilbrunn) June 14, 2022
Tatis, who hurt his wrist in an offseason accident, feels no pain, but the Padres are being extra cautious with their star player.
The Padres Are Being Extra Cautious With Their Star Infielder
If he re-aggravates the injury, there is a good chance he won’t play until August or September, but if the Padres make sure he gets enough time to fully heal, he could still be a factor come July.
They really need him: at the moment, before Wednesday’s games, they are tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL West lead with a solid 39-24 record.
San Diego has ridden a long hot streak by Manny Machado and some incredible performances from the entire rotation all the way to first place.
With Tatis healthy, they get a hitter capable of belting 40 homers and stealing 25 bases over a 162-game season.
They just want to make sure he has a chance to play at 100%.
Padres fans are getting impatient, though.
NEXT: The Padres Have Caught The Dodgers Even Without Their Top Star