Tatis, Hosmer return from COVID IL

SAN DIEGO -- They're back.

The Padres activated shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and first baseman Eric Hosmer ahead of Wednesday's series finale against the Rockies. Both had landed on the injured list last week for COVID-19 related reasons.

Tatis tested positive for COVID-19, while Hosmer landed on the IL due to the league's contact tracing protocols. In total, the Padres saw five players land on the COVID-IL last week, and four of them have now returned. Jurickson Profar and Jorge Mateo rejoined the team on Tuesday.

Wil Myers is the lone remaining member of that group yet to be activated, with his positive COVID-19 test coming a couple days after Tatis’. The Padres are hopeful Myers will be activated at some point during their weekend series against the Mariners.

It's been quite a week for the Padres, without five key offensive contributors. Since the first of those IL placements came on May 11, the Padres are 7-1. They've gotten contributions from the expected and from the unexpected.

"Sometimes our best games are backyard-baseball style," said manager Jayce Tingler. "Guys are coming in in different roles. That's what I mean by drawing it up in the dirt. Sometimes we have plans and those plans -- whether it's injury, whatever -- they go out the door, and we just get after it."

The biggest reason the Padres have been able to sustain the roster turmoil from the past week has been the production of the new 1-2-3 at the top of their lineup. Trent Grisham, Manny Machado and Jake Cronenworth have all been excellent.

As such, Tingler chose not to mess with what's working, even with Tatis' return to the lineup. Tatis batted in the cleanup spot for the first time in his career, with Hosmer batting fifth.

To clear space for them on the roster, the Padres optioned outfielder John Andreoli and utility man Tucupita Marcano -- two unheralded depth pieces, who also played a key role in keeping the Padres afloat during the past week.