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.
San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. has tested positive for coronavirus. The shortstop will be placed on the injured list along with infielder Jurickson Profar and outfielder Jorge Mateo due to health and safety protocols.
The team announced it on Tuesday evening. “Due to health and safety protocols, the Padres placed SS Fernando Tatis Jr. and INF/OFs Jurickson Profar and Jorge Mateo on the injured list today,” the statement read.
Padres general manager Jayce Tingler told reporters that Tatis was crushed after testing positive because he wanted to play on Tuesday. “Mentally, he’s crushed,” Tingler said of Tatis. “He wants to be here with the guys, he wants to play, he wants to be a part of it.”
The team is not at the 85% threshold of vaccinations that would allow for looser restrictions around their team. “We’re a couple of players away from getting there,” Tingler said. “Will we get there? I don’t know at the end of the day. I think we’re optimistic. We’re just a couple of guys short. The one thing with the protocols and things like that — it’s a clear competitive advantage to get to that 85%. Our guys are educated — we’re educating them on it. That’s where we are.”
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Tatis is currently batting .240 with 23 hits, 14 RBI’s and nine home runs. Tatis leads the team with his nine long balls.
Profar is batting .234 in 107 at-bats, and Mateo is batting .250 in 36 plate appearances.
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