Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. Makes Major Announcement on WBC Future

The 26-year-old slugger is expecting to make his World Baseball Classic debut for the Dominican Republic next March, he informed The Athletic. 

“Representing my country, playing right next to my Dominican fellows is something that I cherish, something that I always wanted as a kid." Tatis said. "Definitely looking forward to it." 

Tatis, who hails from San Pedro De Macorís, was unable to compete in the 2023 WBC after he received an 80-game suspension in August 2022 for using a banned substance which violated MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. 

“Everybody saw what happened,” Tatis told The Athletic. “(My WBC debut was) postponed.” 

Despite missing past of last summer due to a stress reaction in his right leg, the Padres' star has clubbed 46 home runs and 127 RBI since returning from his suspension in April 2023. 

This season, he's been even better. Through 16 games, Tatis is slashing .361/.429/.672 with six home runs, 12 RBI and an OPS of 1.101. 

Former St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Angels' great Albert Pujols will manage the Dominican Republic's team for the 2026 WBC, while Tatis' father, Fernando Tatis Sr. - who played for five teams throughout his 11-year MLB career - has been named the hitting coach. 

While Tatis Jr. is certainly looking forward to suiting up for his home country, there's only thing more important right now. 

“Man, it’s just behind winning a World Series,” he told The Athletic. 

Tatis and the Padres will put their perfect Petco Park record (11-0) on the line again tonight when they host the Chicago Cubs. First pitch is set for 9:40 p.m. ET.