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 star Fernando Tatis Jr. will be ineligible to play for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs.
The 23-year-old has been suspended 80-games by MLB for violating its performance-enhancing drug (PED) policy.
In response to the actions, Tatis Jr. claimed in a statement that he “inadvertently” took steroid Clostebol to treat ringworm, a skin infection caused by a fungus.
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“I should have used the resources available to me in order to ensure that no banned substances were in what I took,” he said.
“I have realized that my mistake was the cause of this result, and for that reason, I have decided to start serving my suspension immediately. I look forward to rejoining my teammates on the field in 2023.”
The news comes as Tatis has been out of the lineup all year due to a wrist injury that required surgery in March.
He first began a rehab assignment last week – with the Padres hoping his return would come soon.
But instead, his season will be over for good now.
And to make matters worse, Tatis’ suspension will continue into the start of next season as well.
In 2021, Tatis finished third in the National League MVP voting, getting two first-place votes.
During the year Tatis hit .282, with a .975 on-base plus slugging (OPS) and 42 home runs.
So, Padres fans will have to wait a little longer to see a lineup that features Tatis and star outfielder Juan Soto, who was acquired by the team in a blockbuster deal at the deadline.
But funny enough, the Padres recently acquired second baseman Robinson Cano, who was previously suspended multiple times for PEDs, from the Atlanta Braves.
One fan tweeted: “Looks like Cano did have some influence on the Padres after all.”
Currently, the Padres hold a 64-51 record and sit four games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers in the wild card race.
Last year, Tatis signed a 14-year extension worth $340 million with the Padres.
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