The Padres remain optimistic about the possibility of their shortstop star, Dominican Fernando Tatis Jr., being back in the lineup for Friday night’s game against the Dodgers at Petco Park.
Tatis is still recovering from the partial dislocation of his left shoulder that he suffered while swinging on April 5 against the Giants. He has been doing batting practices and participating in baseball activities without any limitations.
Manager Jayce Tingler said last week that Tatis has been struggling with shoulder problems in the past and general manager AJ Preller expressed that they assured him that a healthy helping hand, Tatis would not be risking his health in long-term return to action, beyond perhaps suffering a new dislocation.
But when Tatis returns to the field, will he have to change his way of playing so that he does not end up injured again? Tingler has said in recent days that he and the Parents’ medical staff have talked to Tatis about some of the plays that pose a greater risk to the shoulder. They are trying to get him to complete his swing with both hands, unlike now, when he completes it with his left arm stretched back. They also want you to choose better when it’s worth sliding your head on the bases.
But where is the line between being warned and fundamentally changing an electrifying style of play?
“It’s definitely a pretty fine line,” Tingler said. “There are things that are going to happen, because it’s game speed and for him doing a lot of things is a natural thing. So I think the main thing is, can we focus on the work of the practices and try to minimize that? There’s something I think: The more I practice something, to be someone super smart who learns very fast, the faster I can make the transition. “
San Diego also hopes the Tatis batsman will regain his level once he returns to lineup. In five games this season, he is 18-3 with a homer.