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Fernando Tatis Jr.’s Injury Deals A Major Blow for Padres’ Playoff Hopes

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 28: Fernando Tatis Jr. #42 of the San Diego Padres reacts after being hit by the ball on the pickoff attempt after sliding safely into third base with a sixth inning steal against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 28, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The day honoring Jackie Robinson, traditionally held on April 15, was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The San Diego Padres have been dealt a setback with the announcement that star right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a stress reaction in his right thigh bone.

Tatis, who has been struggling with what was initially reported as a quadriceps injury, had his condition clarified after imaging revealed the stress reaction in his femur. Manager Mike Shildt acknowledged that while Tatis could potentially continue playing through the pain, rest is essential for the injury to heal properly.

Leading the team with 14 home runs this season, Tatis’ absence will be felt within the league. His 446-foot homer last Thursday night is a display of the kind of explosive play the Padres will miss. Tatis’ defense, which earned him the NL Gold Glove and Platinum Glove awards last year in his debut season as a right fielder, leaves a hole that will be hard to fill.

Adding to the Padres’ woes, ace pitcher Yu Darvish is dealing with elbow inflammation and will not make his scheduled start against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.

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Darvish, who is already on the injured list with a groin strain, is a critical component of the Padres’ rotation. His absence necessitates the recall of rookie Adam Mazur from Triple-A El Paso to fill in on short notice.

The Padres have made several roster adjustments in light of these injuries. In addition to Mazur’s recall, the team has brought up infielder Eguy Rosario from Triple-A and selected the contract of outfielder Bryce Johnson. To make room for these changes, right-hander Jhony Brito and outfielder Jose Azocar have been optioned to Triple-A.

While these moves aim to mitigate the immediate impact of the injuries, the Padres are undoubtedly in a challenging position. Tatis’ injury, in particular, comes at a crucial juncture in the season, potentially jeopardizing their playoff run. As the team adapts to these setbacks, the focus will be on managing the roster efficiently and hoping for a swift recovery for their key players.