Hiram Moreno
It was recently announced that Fernando Tatis Jr.one of the top stars not only of the San Diego Padres but of the entire MLB, has been suspended for 80 games for the use of clostebol, a substance banned by Major League Baseball that helps improve baseball players’ performance.
Fernando Tatis Jr. defended himself by claiming that he took this substance accidentally while taking a clostebol-containing medicine to treat dermatophytosis. Regardless, the harm has been done, and the suspension has already been issued. What we want to know is: how will this influence the Padres in the upcoming MLB season?
Aspects to Consider and Consequences of the Suspension of Fernando Tatis Jr.
It is unclear that San Diego will miss the Dominican player too much, mainly because the team hadn’t counted on him during all of 2022, with the player being out of action for the entire year due to a wrist injury. Even so, the franchise is second in the NL West division, and fighting for a wildcard spot with a 63-51 record at the moment.
However, the Dominican was already undergoing rehabilitation, and it was expected that he would join the Major League roster shortly to strengthen the team for the end of the season. Additionally, Fernando Tatis Jr. was going to be part of the new MLB super team.which would have made up a luxury trio with Manny Machado and newcomer Juan Soto. Now, the fans won’t be able to enjoy this, something that also diminishes their chances of a possible World Series berth.
Speaking of Juan Soto, this suspension also leaves the Padres organization in a rather complicated position, as the trade for Soto saw prospect C.J. Abrams leave for Washington after his shortstop position was “well covered” by having Tatis return, something that is clearly no longer going to happen.
With this, only Ha-Seong Kim is left as a natural shortstop on the Padres roster, and while the Korean has done an acceptable job, he is clearly a notch below Tatis Jr.
Additionally, this suspension is a serious blow to the image and reputation of Fernando Tatis Jr.It’s worth remembering that, in 2021, the San Diego Padres signed him to a 14-year, $340 million contract, and that his rising career even saw him be the face of the cover of that year’s MLB The Show video game.
Now, the Padres will have to start thinking about the near future without one of their top stars and one of the most promising players in all of Major League Baseball.
