Season likely over for Tatis
PHILADELPHIA — Fernando Tatis Jr.’s phenomenal rookie season likely is finished.
As expected, the rookie shortstop was placed on the 10-day injured list with a stress reaction in his lower back after leaving Tuesday’s game in the seventh inning. While the team originally believed he could play again in a couple weeks, it’s now expected that Tatis will not return in 2019. However, his healing will be evaluated in three weeks, and it is possible he could be cleared to play.
“Obviously, we are going to do what we can to take care of him as a young guy in the big leagues that we expect to be a huge part of what we are doing,” Padres manager Andy Green said before Friday’s game against the Phillies.
In 84 games this season, Tatis batted .317 with a .379 on-base percentage and .590 slugging percentage. He had 22 home runs, 53 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. With a team-high wins above replacement (WAR) of 4.2, he was considered a strong contender for rookie of the year honors in the National League.
“It’s a tough blow,” Green said. “We’re going to take care of him. That’s the best course of action right now. What he has is not overly serious for the future. For the present, he just needs to rest and heal.”
The Padres have been told by doctors that Tatis will make a full recovery and won’t have any lingering effects from the injury.
Green also said infielder Ian Kinsler could be facing surgery for disc herniation in his neck and will miss the rest of the season.