via Getty
ST LOUIS, MO – SEPTEMBER 19: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres returns to the dugout after popping out against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth inning at Busch Stadium on September 19, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
via Getty
ST LOUIS, MO – SEPTEMBER 19: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres returns to the dugout after popping out against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth inning at Busch Stadium on September 19, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Although the San Diego Padres failed to make the postseason this year, they had their own share of highlights. One among them was their star hitter Fernando Tatis Jr., who produced yet another incredible season.
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The 22-year-old scored runs for fun in 2021 despite facing discomfort on his left shoulder due to prior injuries. However, MLB insider Jim Bowden revealed Tatis Jr. will not undergo shoulder surgery in the off-season.
Fernando Tatis Jr. dodges shoulder surgery ahead of the 2022 season
When your competitors feature the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers, it can be extremely difficult to make the postseason from the NL West. However, Tatis Jr. produced an excellent regular season in 2021 despite carrying a shoulder injury, as the Padres finished third in the division with a 79-83 record.
During a match against the Colorado Rockies this year, the Dominican suffered a partial dislocation on his left shoulder. Although he returned after featuring in the 10-day injury list, he suffered few more dislocations which hinted at the requirement of surgery. In fact, he moved to the outfield from his regular shortstop position to reduce the risk of incurring a more serious injury.
However, Tatis Jr. refused, and according to Bowden, continues to take that stance in the off-season.
Fernando Tatis Jr. won’t undergo shoulder surgery this offseason, per @JimBowdenGM pic.twitter.com/cjCyrxI4Wn
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) November 12, 2021
With over four months between today and the Opening Day of the 2022 season, the Dominican has a significant amount of recovery time. However, fans of the Padres will hope their star doesn’t suffer a serious injury during the season considering the risk he is taking.
Tatis Jr. is in contention for the 2021 NL MVP honor
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Despite his injury, Tatis produced excellent numbers in 2021. He scored 99 runs, of which 42 were home runs and recorded 97 RBI. With an OPS of .965 and 25 stolen bases, the 22-year-old established himself as a strong candidate for the NL MVP.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 24, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) reacts after his double against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports
His competitors for the honor are Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper and Juan Soto of the Washington Nationals. Although Tatis Jr. produced an incredible season this year, nothing is set in stone for the 22-year-old, who clinched his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award recently.
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Ahead of the 2021 season, the Padres tied Tatis Jr. down to an extraordinary 14-year deal, the longest in MLB history. Valued at $340million, the Padres clearly see him as the future of their franchise. And if the 2021 season is anything to go by, it seems they clearly made the right choice.
READ MORE: ‘Numbers Will Speak’ – San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis Jr. Confident of MVP Win
