General manager A.J. Preller said that All-Star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres, will likely need surgery to repair a fractured left wrist. He could be out for up to three months. Preller stated Monday.
Preller stated that Tatis may have suffered the injury in the offseason, and felt it as he was preparing for spring training.
In December, reports surfaced that Tatis had suffered injuries to his knee and hand in a motorcycle accident in the Dominican Republic. Tatis claimed that he felt some pain in his wrist soon afterward but believed it was due to bruises.
He stated that the injury was unexpected and that he started taking swings in preparation for spring training. This was delayed by the lockout.
“It’s bad. It’s terrible. Tatis stated that everyone feels disappointed, particularly me. As a team, we have a good chance. I want to be there for my teammates as well as the fans.”
This injury is devastating for a team looking to make a comeback after a late-season collapse that saw them lose yet another game.
Tatis, 23 years old, sustained a series injuries to his left shoulder in 2013. Despite this, he was still the leader of the NL with 42 homers in 130 games, and he finished third in the balloting for the NL MVP.
Last year, the electrifying Tatis batted at.282 with 97 RBIs. He also stole 25 bases. He also made two trips to the COVID-19 injured list, one with left shoulder problems and another to the injured list.
During spring training last year, he signed a 14-year contract worth $330 million with the Padres.