Tatis has 2nd wrist surgery, still set for spring return

SAN DIEGO – Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. underwent a second wrist surgery last week, the team confirmed, a further repair of the fractured scaphoid bone in his left wrist.

Tatis is currently serving an 80-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance and is not with the team during the postseason. He underwent surgery to repair the labrum in his left shoulder in August and -- after an initial wrist surgery in March -- he had a second repair last week.

Tatis had nearly worked himself all the way back from that wrist injury in August when his suspension was announced. Afterward, Tatis decided to use his time away to fully repair his shoulder, which he had dislocated multiple times during the 2021 season. He’s taking the same tack with his latest wrist surgery, with a source noting that this operation should further stabilize the wrist.

The team still envisions the same timeline for Tatis -- that he'll be fully healthy for Spring Training. He will be able to participate in camp, but won't be eligible to return for regular-season play until late April, with each game the Padres play in the postseason counting as a game served toward his suspension.

Tatis batted .292/.369/.596 with two first-team All-MLB selections across his first three seasons with the Padres. But they’ve managed to overcome his absence to reach the NLCS, where they’ll open the series Tuesday night against the Phillies at Petco Park.

During Monday’s workout-day media availability, manager Bob Melvin was asked about the way the Padres have managed to withstand Tatis’ absence.

“The team managed the drama and some of the stuff that revolved around the Fernando situation and handled it really well,” Melvin said. “And [Tatis] handled it well, as far as when he came back and spoke about it. From that point on, we've just kind of moved on and kind of felt his support. I text with him kind of every other day or so, and he's very supportive right now.”