Tatis intent on winning title in San Diego

SAN DIEGO -- It's been two years since Fernando Tatis Jr.'s big league breakthrough came on Opening Day 2019 at Petco Park -- a packed house saluted him with the type of ovation that made it clear those fans knew what they were in store for.

Two years later, Tatis has ascended to being one of the sport's most exciting and recognizable players -- arguably the face of baseball. His numbers are as gaudy as just about any 22-year-old shortstop in history, and he's fresh off signing a record-setting contract to remain in San Diego.

So what has changed for him, personally, in that time?

"Some people start looking at you different," said Tatis, speaking during his workout day media availability before the Padres open their season Thursday against the D-backs. "But I feel the same. I feel the same way. The only difference is I know I'm going to be here for the long run. Amazing feeling from that, but I'm the same player, the same person, the same family member. I'm just looking forward to staying here for these next 14 seasons."

Fourteen seasons. That number -- the longest contract in baseball history -- remains an astonishing one. Tatis now has 14 seasons with which he'll be looking to bring San Diego its first World Series.

He remains staunchly convinced it won't take that long. Tatis was asked when, exactly, the Padres would deliver on general manager A.J. Preller's promise that Tatis' extension would help deliver a title to the city.

"Anytime soon," Tatis said. "Any time I'm on the field, they should be expecting that. That's what I dedicate my work for, that's what I dedicate my life for -- is to win and it's to win over here in San Diego."

Tatis also addressed questions about his balky left shoulder for the first time since he was forced to leave a March 23 Cactus League game against the Reds. He says it's an ongoing issue he's managed since Rookie ball -- but it's never hindered him on the field.

"It's nothing I feel like people should be worrying about," Tatis said. "I feel in a great spot. I feel 100 percent."

Tatis couldn't remember how or when exactly he first sustained the injury and said last week’s exit was wholly precautionary.

"It's a thing that's always been there," he said. "Have you seen me play? Diving, swinging, a little bit of everything. It's a part of the game. But it's a good taste at the same time -- makes you feel like you're back."

Indeed, Tatis is back -- looking to build on his fourth-place finish in National League Most Valuable Player Award voting and a season in which he slashed .277/.366/.571 and was named the All-MLB First-Team shortstop, leading the Padres to their first postseason berth in 14 years.

Not good enough, he says.

"There's everything to prove, there's a lot of work that has to be done," Tatis said. "This year, I'm more hungry than last year."

Jersey swap
Negotiations began the moment Blake Snell was traded to the Padres in late December. They came to fruition on Wednesday -- just in time for the start of the regular season.

Snell has acquired the No. 4 uniform from Wil Myers -- for what we can only assume were cash considerations. Myers, the Padres' longstanding No. 4, will wear No. 5 moving forward.

The two came to a "mutually beneficial agreement," according to a team source, who wouldn't go any further than that. The No. 4 has significant meaning to Snell, who wore it throughout his tenure in Tampa Bay.

According to the Padres, anyone who purchased a jersey with "Snell 24" can exchange it for the new "Snell 4" at the club's team store.

Baez set for surgery
The beleaguered Padres bullpen took another hit this week. Right-hander Michel Baez is slated to undergo Tommy John surgery and will miss the season, manager Jayce Tingler announced on Wednesday.

"It's crushing for the team, but it's crushing for him," Tingler said. "He's worked so hard in the offseason. But at the same time, he's been pretty upbeat about it. After the doctors looked at it, it was a pretty clear decision."

Before he sustained the injury, Baez was a fringe candidate for San Diego's roster. At the very least, the 25-year-old right-hander seemed destined to serve as a valuable depth piece in the upper levels of the Minor Leagues.

Instead, Baez joins a growing list of Padres relievers on the shelf. Left-hander José Castillo will also miss the season due to Tommy John surgery. Austin Adams (right elbow), Pierce Johnson (groin strain), Dan Altavilla (calf strain), Matt Strahm (right knee surgery) and Javy Guerra (right UCL sprain) all missed out on the Opening Day roster, as well.

Padres to open with five-man rotation
Tingler was not prepared to divulge the Padres' rotation plans after Yu Darvish and Blake Snell get the ball Thursday and Friday, respectively. But he did acknowledge that San Diego will open the season with a five-man rotation.

It seems likely that Joe Musgrove, Chris Paddack and Adrian Morejon will fill out the remaining three spots, leaving Ryan Weathers ticketed for a bullpen role. During the last four trips through the Cactus League rotation, the Padres lined up Musgrove, Paddack and Morejon to follow their two aces.

The five-man rotation should come as no surprise -- but it remains very possible that San Diego expands that group to six when it plays 17 games in 17 days during mid-April. In that case, Weathers is the obvious candidate to slide into the rotation -- at least until Dinelson Lamet is fully built back up from his right elbow injury.