SAN DIEGO — Fernando Tatis Jr.'s push to return from the long-awaited shoulder surgery and two wrist procedures began roughly a month ago, setting up the 24-year-old to be a full participant not only for the start of spring training but when he's able to return from his PED suspension on April 20.
He's already a full-go in batting practice, tracking balls in the outfield and taking grounders in the infield.
As for what position he'll play, Tatis smiled as he spoke with reporters en masse for the first time since August. He'd been anticipating the question. He had the perfect answer.
"I've got to talk to my manager," Tatis said with a laugh Saturday morning at FanFest at Petco Park. "But I'm open. I feel this is a great team we have. This is a great roster that the front office has put together. It feels like everybody is on the same page and that page is winning, so whatever it takes."
The deferral wasn't a surprise given Tatis' decision to yield to the club's desire to have surgery clean up his balky left shoulder shortly after beginning his 80-game suspension. He'd played 20 games in right field and seven in center while dealing with that shoulder in 2021 and, given Ha-Seong Kim's breakout 2022 season, there was some thought that Tatis would see time in those spots this year before A.J. Preller signed shortstop Xander Bogaerts to an 11-year, $280 million deal.
As it stands now, Bogaerts' arrival figures to bump Kim to second base, Jake Cronenworth to first and likely pushes Juan Soto to left field so the more athletic Tatis can lock down right field next to Gold Glove center fielder Trent Grisham once he's activated.
With a month of baseball activities under his belt, Tatis is not anticipating any delays.
"Feels really good," Tatis said. "Everything that we have been doing feels back to normal. It feels (as) close to 100 percent (as) the last two years with my shoulder problem. It feels great. It feels like it was the perfect time to do it.
"I'm really glad that we decided to get it out of the way."
