San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. Was labelled a ‘cheater’ by a San Francisco Giants minor league pitcher after he hit a huge home run on Wednesday.
Tatis is on a rehab assignment with the minor league El Paso Chihuahuas as he prepares to return from an 80-game suspension from PED use. The 24-year-old took on Giants prospect Kade McClure during the game earlier this week, and struck a fine homer deep to left field at Sutter Health Park.
An NBC San Diego reporter posted a video of the bomb to Twitter, and McClure - representing the Sacramento River Cats - quote-tweeted the original post and let his feelings about Tatis known. McClure wrote: “Cheater hits a homerun on a rehab assignment during a steroid suspension.”
McClure deleted the post soon after after it had received plenty of responses from Padres fans defending Tatis. San Diego fans also criticised the Triple A pitchers high average record of clean runs allowed.
After Tatis struck the home run, the fans greeted the scoring play with a mixture of both cheers and boos. However, the boos grew louder as Tatis made his way to the anteroom.
Back in February, Tatis admitted he has dealt with negative reactions throughout his career - and revealed he expects a similar reception when he returns to the MLB scene. He suggested the rest of the 2023 campaign will be fun and emotional, adding: "And I'm definitely looking forward to that challenge.”
Tatis, one of the best young players in the league, missed the entirety of last season due to his suspension. He was set to return from left wrist surgery when he was given the suspension, and he claimed he tested positive due to an He said that he tested positive because of an ointment he applied for a skin infection.
He reportedly fractured his wrist in a motorcycle accident in the Dominican Republic in December 2021. The injury was diagnosed during a physical exam when he reported for preseason training and Tatis underwent surgery in March 2022.
A few weeks after the suspension was announced, Tatis underwent surgery on his right shoulder, which had been giving him problems. He also had another operation on his left wrist - but is set to return to the 5-4 Padres on 20 April fully fit.
