Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jurickson Profar of the San Diego Padres recently made history by becoming the team’s first starting outfielders in the All-Star Game since Tony Gwynn in 1999. Their inclusion validates the hard work they put in together during the offseason in the Dominican Republic. Tatis, however, will not be able to participate in the All-Star Game due to a stress reaction in his right thigh bone.
Tatis had been playing through pain in his right leg since early April but managed to perform exceptionally well, hitting .279 with 14 home runs. However, imaging revealed a stress reaction in his right femur, which could potentially lead to a fracture. While Tatis did not provide a specific timeline for his recovery, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Timothy Gibson explained that the recovery period for such injuries varies greatly depending on how the body responds.
Although Tatis is no longer experiencing pain in his right leg and his activity is limited as he waits for his bone to heal, he will miss the All-Star Game and watch from afar. He expressed gratitude for his second All-Star selection but also disappointment at not being able to show his appreciation to the fans who voted for him. Tatis also praised his fellow Padres outfielders, Profar and rookie Jackson Merrill, for their performances and hard work.
In another positive development for the Padres, Xander Bogaerts returned to the lineup after fracturing his left shoulder in May. His quick return is seen as a boost for the team’s playoff aspirations.
The Padres are hopeful that Tatis will recover sooner than initially expected and not miss the entire season. While the timeline remains uncertain, Tatis remains optimistic and believes that the hard work he put in with Profar during the offseason will pay off in the long run. Despite his injury, Tatis continues to support his teammates and remains focused on returning to the field as soon as possible.