Tatis rejoins lineup after 2 months on IL: 'I feel like I can do anything'

SAN DIEGO -- On the verge of their 18th game in 18 days, the Padres received a highly anticipated boost to their lineup.

The Padres activated right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. from the 60-day injured list before Monday's series opener against the Tigers at Petco Park. He was slotted into the No. 2 spot in the order and received the start in right field.

“Feels amazing,” Tatis said prior to Monday’s game. “Especially what this team has been doing and how they've been taking care of business. I'm really excited to come and just join the squad.”

Tatis, 25, had been out of action since June 22 with a stress reaction in his right femur and missed the Padres’ last 59 games. The Padres went 38-21 in his absence and entered Monday five games behind the Dodgers in the NL West and in a virtual tie with the D-backs for the first NL Wild Card spot.

The Padres optioned outfielder Bryce Johnson to Triple-A El Paso and designated outfielder José Azocar for assignment in corresponding moves.

“Him coming back and being able to be on the field is a big lift,” manager Mike Shildt said. “I mean, his energy is great. It's infectious. I can't speak for him, but I know he's excited and talking to him about how good he feels, about how well the team’s played, and the energy to the team and how everything's going, he's just ready to do his part.”

The two-time All-Star spent a week playing in a controlled environment at the team's Spring Training complex in Peoria, Ariz., before being activated. He took “close to 30” at-bats, he said, while getting reps in right field both during games and practice drills. He also has been running at 100% for about two weeks.

He opted to forgo a Minor League rehab stint to rejoin a Padres team in the stretch run toward the postseason.

“It was really good at-bats,” Tatis said. “Barrel was alive the entire time. And just got my confidence back, which is what I needed.”

Tatis’ injury is not 100% healed, but he has been cleared by doctors to play and can do everything without restriction. He said the lack of full health is felt in his recovery after games, but he expects to play every day.

“It's not 100% ... but I feel good moving forward. I feel really confident, and I feel like I can do anything out there on the baseball field.

“On a baseball field, you're never 100%, so it's part of this beautiful game.”

San Diego's offense overall has surged with a .764 team OPS in Tatis’ absence -- fourth-best in MLB -- though right field has been a weakness without him. Padres right fielders have posted a .723 OPS, ranked 21st in the Majors, since he went down.

Tatis was having an All-Star season before his injury, batting .279/.354/.468 with 14 homers, 36 RBIs and eight steals in 80 games.

“A lot of excitement going into this room today,” second baseman Xander Bogaerts said. “I mean, this guy, he can help us. We need it. We need him.”