After being a bit reckless with a motorcycle in the 2021-22 lockout and getting suspended for using performance-enhancing drugs last season, San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. was at the center of the storm in 2022.
In a way, he still is.
After fracturing his wrist, injuring his shoulder, and the aforementioned mistake with substances, he is getting an opportunity for a fresh start in 2023.
His season will start a bit late because he still has some games of his suspension to pay.
He will be available around April 20.
Padres fans are prepared to leave everything behind and show one of the best players in the league their support.
Los Angeles Dodgers fans, however, are less forgiving.
“It’s been mostly warm receptions for Fernando Tatis Jr. this spring. But not at Camelback Ranch against the Dodgers, where he’s resoundingly booed,” Padres insider AJ Cassavell tweeted.
It’s been mostly warm receptions for Fernando Tatis Jr. this spring. But not at Camelback Ranch against the Dodgers, where he’s resoundingly booed.
—AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) March 6, 2023
The fact Tatis is one of the Padres’ biggest stars won’t make him popular in LA, suspension or not.
After all, he can definitely be a key cog in the next Padres postseason run, playing in the outfield as opposed to his usual shortstop position.
Xander Bogaerts’ signing makes him expendable in the infield, but a bat like Tatis’ can play anywhere.
He is one of the few MLB players with true 40-40 potential.
In addition to that, Tatis has inflicted damage against the Dodgers in the past, and asking fans to love a Padres star might be too much.
So no, Dodgers fans won’t be applauding and cheering Tatis anytime soon.
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