Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. Update Emerges After Second Straight Removal From Lineup

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Sep 23, 2025 8:25 PM ET

The San Diego Padres clinched a postseason berth on Monday night after taking the series opener against the National League’s top-seeded Milwaukee Brewers.

With the Padres set for back-to-back trips to the postseason, the team will rely on its superstars to carry them on a deep run. Notably, Fernando Tatis Jr. will look to continue dominating as he’s built a reputation as a playoff riser.

In the 2024 postseason, Tatis launched four home runs in just seven games, although the Padres fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS. The 26-year-old has continued to be a force in the outfield this year as he searches for another Gold Glove Award. At the plate, Tatis has continued to produce, posting a .267 batting average, .367 on-base percentage, .805 OPS, 23 home runs and 66 RBIs throughout 152 games.

Fernando Tatis Jr. Development Surfaces Before Brewers Game

Tatis was unavailable during Monday’s series opener against Milwaukee, as he had been dealing with an undisclosed illness. He was not in the clubhouse for the Padres’ celebration. Ahead of Tuesday’s game, an update emerged that Tatis’s illness has kept him out of the lineup again and he will not be in the dugout or available for the matchup, as the Padres see no use in having him grind through it.

“Fernando Tatis Jr. is ‘still battling’ with an illness, didn’t want to bring him in and grind through it. They’ll see about tomorrow,” wrote Darnay Tripp of NBC 7 San Diego.

Fernando Tatis Jr. is “still battling” with an illness, didn’t want to bring him in and grind through it. They’ll see about tomorrow.
— Darnay Tripp (@DarnayTripp) September 23, 2025

Tatis’ absence comes at an unfortunate time for San Diego, as they were hoping to build momentum ahead of a potential three-game wild card series, likely coming against the Chicago Cubs. With the postseason set to begin in a week, Tatis will likely play through the illness if it continues to linger, but his sickness will be worth monitoring as October approaches.

Tatis has continued to anchor the top of San Diego’s lineup and remains a central piece of the franchise’s future after signing a 14-year, $340 million extension ahead of the 2021 season. While he hasn’t fully matched the production that earned him back-to-back top-five finishes in NL MVP voting, he’s still delivered All-Star-level contributions.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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