Fernando Tatis, Jr. suffers scary-looking injury on violent swing (Video)

The San Diego Padres have a serious problem on their hands if Fernando Tatis, Jr. is hurt long-term.

Tatis, Jr. was off to a rough start this season, hitting just .188 with 1 home run in 16 at-bats. The Padres, of course, expect better production over the course of a full regular season, but for now they’d settle for some positive injury news.

Against the San Francisco Giants on Monday night, Tatis, Jr. went down in a crumpled heap with what looked to be a wrist injury suffered on a violent swing.

Tatis, Jr. was swinging for the fences, as he so often does. His confidence is infectious, helping the rest of this Padres team reach its full potential. As the undeniable team leader, A.J. Preller gave Tatis, Jr. a 14-year, $340 million contract extension just before the start of the regular season.

Per the Padres, Tatis, Jr., suffered a left shoulder subluxation.

San Diego Padres can’t afford injury to Fernando Tatis, Jr.

Should the slugger prove to be out for an extended period of time, expect the likes of Manny Machado and Eric Hosmer — veterans of the game — to step in to lead this young team. Their voices will be more important now than ever.

The Padres are talented enough, especially with their pitching staff, to withstand an absence of Tatis, Jr. for a bit. A rotation featuring Yu Darvish, Blake Snell and Dinelson Lamet is formidable against most.

Tatis, Jr., though, is the face of the franchise for a reason. We’re all hoping one of the best players in all of baseball is okay, because this didn’t look promising.