San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. underwent surgery in March. Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Padres being 'extremely cautious' with star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr.

San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. underwent surgery to repair a fractured wrist in March. He was estimated to miss up to three months, but now approaching the midway point of July, it's been nearly four months since the procedure.

There doesn't appear to be an exact timetable for the slugger's return, and a Thursday report from Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune didn't make the situation sound much clearer.

Tatis Jr. was limited to 130 games during the 2021 season due to shoulder issues, but still made his first All-Star team, led MLB with 42 home runs and picked up his second consecutive Silver Slugger award. The 23-year-old also recorded 97 RBIs, 25 stolen bases and a .282/.364/.611 slash line and finished third in the NL MVP voting.

Even without Tatis Jr. in the lineup all season, the Friars have stayed competitive, as San Diego enters Thursday with a 50-40 record and in playoff position as the second NL Wild Card team.

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