Something’s off with Fernando Tatis Jr. The $340 million Padres star just isn’t firing on all cylinders, and fans are starting to notice. Injuries? Fatigue? A mental block? Whatever the case, he’s looking for answers—and turning to Manny Machado for guidance. If anyone can help him bounce back, it’s a veteran who’s been through it all. But will it be enough?

Before going into it, let’s have a look at how Tatis Jr. fared with the Padres. Ever since the Padres signed him in March 2019, Fernando Tatis Jr. has remained a significant contributor to the team. The 26-year-old had a good 2024 season; he batted at an average of .276 with 110 hits, posting 21 home runs, with 49 RBIs and 64 runs scored across 102 games. Now, it’s injuries that are taking a toll on him.

Every athlete faces setbacks, but how they bounce back defines them. Fernando Tatis Jr. knows that firsthand. After injuries and a slow recovery, he finally feels like he’s turning the corner. He’s not the first San Diego Padres star to fight through adversity—Manny Machado did it just last year. Machado played through excruciating pain in 2023, eventually opting for surgery that sidelined him for months. But he came back stronger. Now, Tatis Jr. is looking to Machado for inspiration. “I’ve learned a lot from Manny Machado,” he admitted. Could this be the key to his resurgence?

He continued, “We have made a lot of different adjustments of what my offseason looks like and how my spring training looks like. And I feel like we have made the right changes by getting a little more relaxed. I used to be really hardcore, working hard in the offseason just to show up in my best shape in spring training.” But now, Tatis Jr. is in a different stage of his career after battling an injury. So, with changes and a bit more relaxation, he feels that the right adjustments have been made to remain fit.

Tatis Jr. even had talks with Manny Machado, asking how his offseason and spring training looked. This helped him to identify the gaps and tick the right boxes while understanding how Machado kept himself on the field. And that’s what aligns with Tatis Jr.’s goal of remaining healthy throughout the 2025 season. The right fielder discussed some changes to better manage his workload and keep things laid back, which might keep him healthy in the long run.

However, a former Padres’ star feels the Padres should also look beyond Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado. Think that makes sense?

The Padres should look beyond Tatis Jr. and Machado now 

Both Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado have been major contributors to the San Diego Padres. However, the club shouldn’t look at them every time to save their back. The Padres have had a quiet offseason due to financial constraints as they look to cut salaries. But that’s not all! There have been disputes over the team’s ownership ever since Pete Seidler passed away in November 2023. Not only did the Friars lack good leadership, but they also lost players like Hyeseong Kim, Tanner Scott, and Jurickson Profar. So now, former Padres star Heath Bell believes that the Padres should look to develop young players and acquire new young talents, which would put less strain on their pockets. But that’s not all!

Bell even insisted the Padres bring a player that would give 200 at-bats and not someone who misses a lot of games. Although he doesn’t seem to be looking for someone exemplary in the left field, Bell emphasized the need to have a group of players who have the zeal to win the games. Rather than looking at big stars, the San Diego Padres should focus on having players in the Double-A and Triple-A. Then, groom young prospects while instilling faith in both their stars—Machado and Tatis Jr. It would definitely turn things around for them and find relevant solutions to problems, too.

What do you think—will Machado’s suggestions help Tatis Jr. in the long run? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.