Overview
- The Padres gave Fernando Tatis Jr. a short run at second base before he returned to right field for the Mariners series.
- Manager Craig Stammen said Tatis is the backup at second when Xander Bogaerts or Jake Cronenworth get a day off.
- The shift followed thin depth in the middle infield after Sung-Mun Song’s injury and slow rehab in Triple-A. Tatis went 5-for-9 with a double and an RBI in two games at second base.
- MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds said the move looked like a showcase tied to payroll concerns with Tatis’ $340 million deal through 2034.