Padres: Bobbleheads are latest casualty of Fernando Tatis Jr. suspension

The San Diego Padres continue to distance themselves from the fallout caused by the suspension of Fernando Tatis Jr.

If you’re a San Diego Padres fan who is excited about Fernando Tatis Jr. Bobblehead Night on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at Petco Park, you might want to adjust your plans accordingly as the Padres will not be giving out the promotional item in the wake of the 80-game suspension handed down to Tatis by Major League Baseball after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

According to Kevin Acee, who covers the Padres for the San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego will put the Tatis bobbleheads on the back burner for now while choosing to promote a new addition to the roster instead.

Padres change up promotional schedule because of Fernando Tatis Jr. suspension

The move makes sense as Tatis is clouded in controversy after the news of his PED suspension broke, then trying to explain his actions through an interesting excuse. Various San Diego players have voiced their displeasure with the situation, as has general manager A.J. Preller, so the shift from a Tatis bobblehead to a Soto shirsey makes perfect sense.

It also makes sense from a Padres perspective to move the focus from a player who isn’t on the roster and won’t be around for this postseason (should San Diego make it) or the start of next season because of the suspension. Soto was the big acquisition at the MLB trade deadline, so for the promotion to focus on what San Diego has versus what it doesn’t is smart marketing.

Will San Diego give away the bobbleheads someday? It’s likely, but it will need to be well after Tatis has the opportunity to come back to the clubhouse and playing field and make good with his teammates, fans, and the franchise management as well.