San Diego Padres

San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. credited his father, former major leaguer Fernando Tatis Sr., after he connected on two home runs during Friday night's 6-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

All credit to you dad . You created this now we celebrate together 🙏🏾🩸❤️

— Fernando Tatis Jr. (@tatis_jr) April 24, 2021

Tatis' big game came on the 22nd anniversary of his dad's most memorable performance: hitting two grand slams for the St. Louis Cardinals in a single inning on April 23, 1999. That game also took place against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

The younger Tatis said he was aware of the anniversary before the game.

"I told myself, 'Can you imagine if you just hit two home runs today? That would be so crazy,'" he told reporters. "And I feel like the baseball gods were in my favor today. Glad it happened. It's something definitely me and my family are going to celebrate and something that's gonna be in my heart for the rest of my life."

The elder Tatis, a third baseman, spent 11 years in the big leagues with the Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Montreal Expos, Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets. He last played at the MLB level in 2010 and formally retired in 2014.

"It is amazing," Tatis Sr. told Dennis Lin of The Athletic in 2019 during his son's rise toward stardom. "I'm telling you, we've been blessed, this family. Our family."

Now they'll have a memory that lives on forever.

"It's great," Tatis Jr. said. "It's definitely something we're gonna take into our last day in this world."

In addition, Tatis' younger son, Elijah Tatis, is a 19-year-old middle-infield prospect in the Chicago White Sox system.

San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. was activated from the 10-day injured list after suffering a partial dislocation of his left shoulder and a partial tear of his labrum April 5 against the San Francisco Giants.

The Padres announced the move Friday afternoon. In a corresponding transaction, San Diego optioned infielder-outfielder Tucupita Marcano to the team's alternate training site.

Tatis will play shortstop and bat second in the Padres' home game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.

Tatis suffered the injuries while striking out on a pitch by Giants starter Anthony DeSclafani in the bottom of the third inning.

The 22-year-old was helped off the field, and Ha-Seong Kim replaced him in the lineup.

Tatis has 40 home runs, 99 RBI and a .945 OPS in 148 career regular-season games. His absence was a blow to the Padres, who signed the phenom to a 14-year, $340 million contract in the offseason, but Tatis missed only nine games and the club went 6-3.

Tatis' left shoulder has given him trouble in the past. San Diego manager Jayce Tingler told reporters last month that Tatis has felt left shoulder discomfort since he played rookie league ball in 2016.

He also left a spring training game this year with discomfort but returned two days later.

Tatis hasn't undergone surgery for the shoulder issues, and he'll look to help the Padres in a big series against the Dodgers, who own MLB's best record (11-2).

The 9-5 Padres are 2.5 games back in the National League West but can jump L.A. with a three-game sweep at Petco Park.

First pitch for Friday's game is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET. Ryan Weathers will be on the bump for San Diego, and Walker Buehler will take the mound for L.A.

San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. could return Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, manager Jayce Tingler told reporters Thursday. 

Tatis can be activated off of the injured list Friday, ending a designation he received after he suffered a left shoulder subluxation—meaning the shoulder slipped from its position in the socket—on April 5. 

Fernando Tatis Jr. went back to the clubhouse after hurting himself on this swing pic.twitter.com/iQh81fkwjU

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) April 6, 2021

"We're optimistic that he has a good chance to be ready to play tomorrow," Tingler said.

General manager A.J. Preller said an MRI showed a "slight labral tear" that was expected due to the subluxation injury, and Tatis had full range of motion. 

The issue from April 5 was Tatis' third shoulder issue within 23 days, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. The 22-year-old took live batting practice Thursday and had his "best day" at the plate since the injury, Tingler said.

He hit .301/.374/.582 with 39 home runs and 98 RBI through 143 games over his first two seasons in the league, and the Padres were convinced of his talents enough to sign him to a massive 14-year, $340 million extension this offseason.

Through five games this year, his numbers have dipped. Tatis is hitting .167/.286/.333 and has struck out seven times, hitting one home run so far. 

The Padres have gone 6-3 in his absence. 

Joe Musgrove authored the first no-hitter in the San Diego Padres' 53-season history on Friday after blanking the Texas Rangers 3-0 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Joe Musgrove does it! The kid from San Diego has thrown the first no-hitter in @Padres history!

How can you not be romantic about baseball?! pic.twitter.com/PTmV2Ix0Wr

— MLB (@MLB) April 10, 2021

.@ItsbuccnJoe59 tosses the first no-hitter of 2021! 👏 pic.twitter.com/wSSRbtUxHh

— MLB (@MLB) April 10, 2021

Musgrove struck out 10 batters over his nine shutout frames. He threw 112 pitches and allowed just one base-runner after hitting outfielder Joey Gallo with a pitch in the bottom of the fourth inning.

As Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune noted, the Padres had no-hit their opponents through eight innings a total of 23 times before.

The 24th time was the charm in Arlington, and Musgrove finished the night by getting Isiah Kiner-Falefa to ground out to short.

Musgrove has now thrown 31 shutout innings dating back to last year, when he pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He's held opponents scoreless over his last four starts, including six shutout frames against the Arizona Diamondbacks last Saturday.

Musgrove's no-hitter was MLB's first since Chicago Cubs left-hander Alec Mills twirled one on Sept. 13 against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The catcher that day was Victor Caratini, and he was behind the plate for Musgrove's performance as well.

The fact that Musgrove broke the Padres' streak of 8,205 straight regular-season games without a no-no is special enough, but doing so for his hometown team makes it even better.

Danny Vietti of CBS Sports tweeted about Musgrove's San Diego County roots.

Joe Musgrove was born and raised in San Diego County (El Cajon). Grew up a Padres fan. Committed to SDSU before being drafted.

10 years later, he gets a chance to pitch for his hometown team.

And in just his 2nd start, he throws the first no-hitter in franchise history. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/A0GruxG20F

— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) April 10, 2021

"It's awesome to have it be in a Padres uniform,'' Musgrove said afterward. "To have it be the first in the history of the franchise, that's incredible.''

Musgrove, who made those remarks to Padres field reporter Bob Scanlan postgame, also said he didn't feel good in warmups and slept poorly the night before.

53 years. 8,205 games.

Joe Musgrove has broken the streak. The @Padres have a no-hitter. He talks with @heyscan following his historic night!#HungryForMore | @Padres pic.twitter.com/NdVd0xlVJq

— Local Sports San Diego (@BallySportsSD) April 10, 2021

That apparently didn't matter much, as Musgrove made history regardless.

His accomplishment is all the more impressive considering some of the Padres' great starters from past years:

Pitchers who pitched for the #Padres but never did what Joe Musgrove did:

Jake Peavy
Gaylord Perry
Greg Maddux
David Wells
Kevin Brown
Randy Jones
Eric Show
Andy Benes
James (Big Game) Shields
Chris Young
Juan Tyrone Eichelberger

Yes, I wanted to type Juan Tyrone Eichelberger

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) April 10, 2021

The 29-year-old naturally received recognition for his work, including congratulations from legendary Padres closer and Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman:

Hometown kid getting it done!!! Congrats Joe!! @ItsbuccnJoe59

— Trevor Hoffman (@THoffman51) April 10, 2021

Musgrove will now look to continue his torrid pace against his old team in the Pirates, who dealt the right-hander to his hometown as part of a three-team, seven-player trade with the New York Mets in January.

The six-year MLB veteran, who is currently scheduled to start Wednesday at Pittsburgh, has struck out 18 batters over 15 shutout innings over two appearances this year.

San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. will go on the 10-day injured list, having avoided major injury after he collapsed at the plate following a strikeout on Monday.

According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, Tatis has "slight labral tearing" that is "consistent with a subluxation injury." 

His official injury designation is left shoulder inflammation. 

The 22-year-old left Monday's game against the San Francisco Giants in the third inning after he injured himself swinging. The Padres did not immediately provide any information about his injury, but he left the field with training staff holding onto his arm. 

Fernando Tatis Jr. went back to the clubhouse after hurting himself on this swing pic.twitter.com/iQh81fkwjU

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) April 6, 2021

According to MLB reporter Scott Miller, Tatis previously injured his left shoulder during spring training. 

The Dominican was 3-for-16 with a home run and an RBI through four games before the injury, but he had proved to be an integral part of the team in 2020. He appeared in 59 games, hitting .277/.366/.571 with 17 long balls and 45 RBI en route to the postseason.

The team rewarded his effort with a 14-year, $340 million contract this offseason.

Jake Cronenworth and Ha-Seong Kim are also available at shortstop, though neither can fully replace the power provided by the Padres' franchise star. 

San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. will be reevaluated Tuesday after suffering a left shoulder subluxation during Monday night's game against the San Francisco Giants.

Tatis was at the plate in the bottom of the third inning when he struck out against Anthony DeSclafani. But before he could head back to the dugout, he fell to the ground.

Fernando Tatis Jr. went back to the clubhouse after hurting himself on this swing pic.twitter.com/iQh81fkwjU

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) April 6, 2021

He was helped off the field with training staff holding on to his elbow.

As MLB reporter Scott Miller noted, Tatis was bothered by a shoulder injury during spring training:

Uh oh, Fernando Tatis Jr. leaves Padres game after injuring his left shoulder during an at bat. He was in pain. And yes, left shoulder is what he injured this spring and club said has been hurt before and he has to “manage” it.

— Scott Miller (@ScottMillerBbl) April 6, 2021

https://twitter.com/ScottMillerBbl/status/1379272259416715265

Despite this setback, the star shortstop was durable when he played in 59 of 60 games during the shortened 2020 campaign. He slashed .277/.366/.571 with 17 home runs and 45 RBI in those games while helping lead the Padres to the playoffs.

He was 3-for-16 with a home run and an RBI through four games this season.

San Diego made him the face of the franchise this past offseason when it gave him a 14-year, $340 million contract extension. While it was a stunning contract, he is also just 22 years old and seems primed to be one of the best players in the league for a decade or more.

While the Padres do not have anyone on their roster who can replicate what Tatis does, they will likely rely on the combination of Jake Cronenworth and Ha-Seong Kim at shortstop until he is ready to return.

San Diego Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. is getting into the NFT world with the announcement that he will release three limited-edition pieces in April. 

Tatis announced on Thursday that he is working with Impossible Brief to put together his NFT collection:

https://twitter.com/SportsNation/status/1375054865240494085

Per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, Tatis' NFT collection will consist of "three open edition pieces available for a limited time, one limited edition baseball memorabilia themed piece and an ultra-rare, one-of-one."

Tatis has emerged as arguably the face of Major League Baseball through his first two seasons with the Padres. The 22-year-old finished fourth in NL MVP voting last year after hitting .277/.366/.571 with 17 homers and 45 RBI in 59 games. 

The Padres rewarded Tatis by signing him to a 14-year, $340 million contract extension in February. He's got the potential to win multiple MVP awards and is the centerpiece of one of the best teams in MLB. 

While an official release date has yet to be announced, Feinsand noted the pieces are expected to be available in mid-April.   

San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. exited Tuesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds with a shoulder injury, according to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell.

"The Padres' star shortstop ranged to his right to make a play, then made a long throw across the diamond to retire Reds second baseman Jonathan India," Cassavell wrote. "Tatis was removed immediately and walked off the field with his hand on his right hip after being assessed by manager Jayce Tingler and a team trainer."

The third-year man established himself as a National League MVP candidate last season with a .277 batting average, 17 home runs and 45 RBI in 59 games. Ultimately, he finished fourth in the voting.

On Aug. 16, 2019, it was announced that Tatis was dealing with a back injury that would cost him the remainder of the 2019 season. Prior to getting shut down, he was enjoying a huge statistical year with a slash line of .317/.379/.590 to go along with 22 home runs, 53 RBI and 16 stolen bases for the up-and-coming Padres.

The son of former Major League third baseman Fernando Tatis, Tatis Jr. seems likely to surpass what his father accomplished in 11 big league seasons with the Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, Montreal Expos, Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets.

Tatis Jr. was heralded as one of the top prospects in baseball prior to getting called up, and he didn't disappoint as he is now widely considered the face of the franchise in San Diego along with Manny Machado.

At just 22 years of age, Tatis looks like he is going to be a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate, which is why playing it safe with him from an injury perspective is so important.

More details have surfaced regarding Fernando Tatis Jr.'s 14-year, $330 million contract extension with the San Diego Padres.   

Per Ronald Blum of Yahoo Sports, Tatis will receive:

• A full no-trade clause through 2028.
• A no-trade clause that allows him to block deals to 13 teams after 2028 (though he would "acquire the right after 2028 to block trades under the collective bargaining agreement as a 10-year veteran who has been with his team for five years or longer").
• A $10 million signing bonus.
• A "hotel suite on all road trips, and the right to purchase a premium luxury suite and four of the best available premium season tickets for all Padres' home games."

As for his base compensation:

• 2021: $1 million
• 2022: $5 million
• 2023: $7 million
• 2024: $11 million
• 2025-26: $20 million
• 2027-28: $25 million
• 2029-34: $36 million

The only deals in MLB history that have exceeded the total amount of cash in the Tatis contract are the 12-year, $426.5 million deal Mike Trout signed with the Los Angeles Angels in 2019 and the 12-year, $365 million contract Mookie Betts inked with the Los Angeles Dodgers after he was traded to the team from the Boston Red Sox.

If Tatis plays like he did last year, he'll be worth every last penny. The 22-year-old hit .277 with 17 homers, 45 RBI, 50 runs and 11 stolen bases in 59 games, finishing fourth in National League MVP voting while winning a Silver Slugger award. 

He also led the Padres to their first postseason appearance since 2006. 

San Diego made a major commitment to repeating that feat in 2021, agreeing to the major long-term deal with Tatis while swinging trades for Blake Snell and Yu Darvish. The Padres are loaded in both the short term and the long term with Tatis committing his prime years to San Diego. 

San Diego Padres outfielder Tommy Pham thought his baseball days were over after he was stabbed in October.

"The doctor here basically told me that if I wasn't so muscular, I might be dead or paralyzed," Pham told reporters on Sunday (h/t Bob Nightengale of USA Today). "So I'm lucky to even be able to play. I thought I wasn't going to be able to play again."

The 32-year-old was stabbed in the lower back in the parking lot of a San Diego strip club, resulting in a wound that he said required 200 stitches to close. 

No arrests have been made in the incident, though he sued Pacers Showgirls International for his "catastrophic injuries, which have and will continue to cause him significant economic damage, including but not limited to his earning capacity as an elite professional baseball player," while also noting that employees did not call for law enforcement. 

Pham will take the field Sunday when the Padres open spring training with a game against the Seattle Mariners. He said he is about 80 percent recovered, and while he has been able to get some swings in this offseason, his back limited him with heavy weights, per Nightengale. 

His return to the field comes at a pivotal time. Pham will become a free agent after this season, and he'll be fighting to prove himself after a hand injury kept him to 31 games in last year's pandemic-shortened season. He hit .211 with 12 RBI and three home runs in those outings. 

"I know what I'm capable of bringing to the table with my speed and my athleticism," he said. "I know I'm being an above-average, elite player in the game."