The Padres remain optimistic that their shortstop star, Fernando Tatis Jr., will return to the roster for Friday night’s game against the Dodgers at Petco Park.
Tatis is still recovering from the partial dislocation of his left shoulder that he suffered when he swung on April 5 against the Giants. He practiced batting and participated in baseball activities without any limitations.
Manager Jayce Tingler said last week that Tatis has had shoulder problems in the past, and CEO AJ Preller said he was assured that once his shoulder healed, Tatis would not risk his long-term health returning to the field. beyond that it may suffer a new dislocation.
But when Tatis returns to the field, will he have to change his style of play so as not to get injured again? Tingler said in recent days that he and his parents’ medical staff had discussed with Tatis some of the pieces that pose a greater risk to the shoulder. Try to make you complete your swing with both hands, unlike what you do now, when you complete it with your left arm stretched back. They also want you to choose better when it is worth sliding your head into the bases first.
But where is the line between being cautious and fundamentally changing an electrifying style of play?
“It’s definitely a very fine line,” Tingler said. “There are things that are going to happen, because it is the speed of the game and for him to do many things is something natural. So I think the main thing is that we can focus on the activity of the practices and try to minimize this? I think there is something: the more you practice, the more intelligent someone is who learns very quickly, the faster you can make the transition.
San Diego also hopes that Tatis’ bat will regain his level once he returns to the lineup. In five games this season, he is 18-3 at home.