Padres star SS Fernando Tatis Jr. taking live batting practice Monday
The San Diego Padres have arguably been involved in the most trade rumors among any of the 30 MLB teams leading up to Tuesday's deadline. In non-trade news, they've also made headlines by officially inking All-Star starting pitcher Joe Musgrove to a five-year, $100 million contract extension on Monday.
The Friars apparent interest in two-time All-Stars Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani doesn't even include Monday afternoon's reported blockbuster deal to land star closer Josh Hader from the Milwaukee Brewers.
One in-house addition that San Diego could be seeing back on the field for the first time this season in the near-future is 2021 All-Star Fernando Tatis Jr. The slugging shortstop is making a big step Monday in his eventual return from offseason wrist surgery.
Following the March procedure to repair his fractured wrist, it was estimated that Tatis Jr. would be sidelined for up to three months, but now in August, it's been over four months since the surgery. It was reported in July that the Padres were being "extremely cautious" with the 23-year-old.
Tatis Jr., who began his hitting progression over two weeks ago, missed time during the 2021 campaign with a shoulder injury, but still managed to lead the league with 42 home runs in 130 games and pick up his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award. He also registered 97 RBI, 25 stolen bases and a .282/.364/.611 slash line and finished third in the NL MVP voting.
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