The San Diego Padres — and Major League Baseball — received good news on Tuesday when general manager A.J. Preller confirmed that no surgery is needed for Fernando Tatis Jr.
The standout shortstop, who dislocated his left shoulder Monday night on a strikeout swing, will go on the 10-day injured list.
Preller told reporters Tatis Jr. has slight labral tearing following an MRI, consistent with a subluxation injury, but should be able to return at the end of the 10-day stint.
“It’s just being safe and giving the left shoulder inflammation and some of the instability a chance to calm down,” Preller said. “Overall, the exam today was pretty uneventful.”
In only 148 career games and early in his third MLB season, Tatis Jr. has hit 40 home runs, has driven in 99 runs and carries a .297/.371/.575 slash line. He signed a 14-year, $340 million contract extension just before the start of the regular season.
Tatis Jr. was hurt in San Diego’s 3-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park, suffering a left shoulder subluxation.
Upon his follow-through, Tatis went down right away, holding his left arm. He was checked out by team trainers and then removed from the game.
The 22-year-old Tatis suffered discomfort in the same shoulder during a spring training game but was back in the lineup two days later.
Tatis said he’s dealt with left shoulder issues since rookie ball.
Preller said team doctors do not feel Tatis would be put at additional long-term risk by playing again this season.
