https://www.mlb.com/news/fernando-tatis-jr-expected-to-go-on-injured-list
Fernando Tatis Jr.'s ascent to superstardom has been put on hold.
Padres manager Andy Green on Friday said that Fernando Tatis Jr. is "most
likely done for the season."
The Padres' rookie phenom, who has been dealing with an ailing back, was
placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Wednesday, along with
infielder Ian Kinsler (herniated cervical disk, retroactive to Tuesday). San
Diego recalled infielder Ty France and outfielder Travis Jankowski from
Triple-A El Paso on Friday.
Recently, however, he’d been battling some back soreness, and he was removed
from Tuesday’s game after a sixth-inning strikeout because of the injury.
Tatis didn’t start Wednesday, with second baseman Luis Urias sliding to
short in his place in the 7-2 win over the Rays.
Here are some of the most pressing questions regarding Tatis’ injury:
How do the Padres replace him?
They really can’t. Tatis leads the club in average, on-base percentage,
slugging and Wins Above Replacement, and San Diego can’t make up for that
production out of thin air.
When Tatis landed on the injured list in May with a left hamstring strain,
France started at third, with Manny Machado sliding to short. But the Padres
like Urias’ glove at shortstop, meaning Machado should remain at third base
this time. France has also been getting reps at second.
As for the leadoff spot, Manuel Margot took over for Tatis on Wednesday.
Margot is reaching at a .382 clip in the second half and is tied for the team
lead with 16 steals, so he’d be an obvious fit