Padres’ Tatis likely to miss rest of season
San Diego shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. was placed on the 10day injured list Friday with a back injury that “most likely” will end his season, according to manager Andy Green.
The 20yearold Tatis, a rookieoftheyear candidate, is batting .317 with 13 doubles, 22 homers and 53 RBIs in 84 games. Green said the injury was the result of “common usage” and that it would require rest to heal.
“It’s disappointing, obviously,” Green said. “We’re going to do what we can to take care of him, and we expect him to be a huge part of what we’re doing going forward. It’s been really tough for him the last couple of days to swallow. It’s a tough blow.”
Green said Tatis will be reevaluated in three weeks.
The Padres also placed second baseman Ian Kinsler on the IL because of a neck injury that also will end his season.
Green said Kinsler has a herniated disc and was weighing whether to have surgery.
Kinsler, 37, is hitting .217 with 12 doubles, nine homers and 22 RBIs in 87 games.
The Padres recalled infielder Ty France and outfielder Travis Jankowski from TripleA El Paso to replace Tatis and Kinsler.
France, who was batting .399 at TripleA, will assume the everyday second baseman duties. Luis Urias will move to shortstop from second.
Moving on: Outfielder Billy Hamilton, who signed a oneyear, $4.25 million contract with Kansas City in December, was designated for assignment by the Royals.
Hamilton, who has topped 50 stolen bases in a season four times, has 18 steals in 23 attempts this season but has hit just .211 in 305 atbats.
Outfielder Brett Phillips, who was 22for23 on stolenbase attempts at TripleA Omaha, was recalled to take Hamilton’s roster spot.
Phillips hit .188 and struck out 50 times in 112 atbats with the Royals last season, but since June 1 had 13 home runs with an OPS over 1.000 and an onbase percentage above .400 at Omaha.
“We gave Billy an opportunity,” manager Ned Yost told MLB.com. “It didn’t work. Now we got a guy we want to look at going forward.” Injury report: Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte left Friday’s game against the Dodgers because of a hamstring injury . ... Among the players activated from the IL were Cubs reliever Brandon Kintzler and Marlins infielder Neil Walker. Suspensions: Minorleague pitchers Luis Diaz (Braves), Marcos Encarnacion (Cubs) and Eliezer Mejia (Mariners) drew 72game suspensions without pay after testing positive for the steroid stanozolol. All are on Dominican Summer League rosters.
Ian Krol, who pitches for the Twins’ TripleA Rochester team, was suspended 50 games without pay following a second positive test for a drug of abuse.
Briefly: The Braves signed infielder Adeiny Hechavarria, who was released by the Mets this week. They also sent former Giants infielder Adam Duvall to TripleA Gwinnett. Duvall hit five homers in his first six games with Atlanta after being promoted from Gwinnett on July 27, but batted .116 in his next 13 games . ... The Cubs recalled former AllStar shortstop Addison Russell from TripleA Iowa . ... The Yankees promoted reliever Ryan Dull from TripleA Scranton/WilkesBarre. Dull on Wednesday was claimed on waivers from the Giants, who had claimed him on waivers from the A’s on Aug. 5.