Fernando Tatis Jr. suspended for violating MLB PED policy

Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. will reportedly be suspended for violating MLB’s performance-enhancing drug policy as he was nearing his return.

Any San Diego Padres fans eagerly awaiting Fernando Tatis Jr.’s return so he can join Juan Soto, Josh Bell and Manny Machado in a superstar lineup just had their heart broken.

On Friday night, ESPN’s Jeff Passan was the first to report that Tatis will be suspended after violating MLB’s performance-enhancing drug policy.

FanSided’s Robert Murray furthered the reporting, noting that Tatis will be suspended for 80 games after testing positive for Clostebol.

Fernando Tatis Jr. suspended 80 games for PED use

Tatis has been out all season after undergoing wrist surgery that has had an unusually long recovery time for him to still be out.

As of late, he had been progressing extremely well and had started his rehab assignment in the minor leagues where he was performing well, adding to anticipation for his return among Padres fans.

Now, that will be put on hold as Tatis won’t play this season and the start of next as he serves his 80-game suspension.

The Padres released a statement following news of the suspension, stating that the organization was “surprised and extremely disappointed” with the news.

Padres: When will Fernando Tatis Jr. suspension end?

Depending on if the suspension took effect on Friday night before the Padres’ game against the Nationals, there are 48 games remaining in the 2022 regular season. That would mean that Tatis will then miss a little more than the first month of the 2023 season as well due to this suspension.

Missing the rest of this year will certainly add the most to the sting, though, as the young star joining the newly revamped lineup with Soto, Bell and even Brandon Drury was expected to help them make a big-time push in the postseason.