Is Fernando Tatis Jr. playing tonight? Injury update for Padres

San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. comes back from his suspension this week, adding a major force to an already-stacked lineup.

Fernando Tatis Jr. knows that his return to the major leagues won’t be easy. In his various minor-league stints, Tatis Jr. was booed relentlessly, and even faced some disparaging social media comments from a San Francisco Giants pitcher.

Ironically enough, Tatis Jr. homered off that pitcher, and put up some gaudy numbers in the minors. He looked very ready to prove his doubters wrong after a PED suspension kept him out the majority of this month.

San Diego Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove said Tatis’ teammates will support him in his return, though it won’t be easy on the road.

“We know that it’s not going to be easy trekking for him on the road,” Musgrove said, via The Athletic. “He’s going to hear it from the fans and whatnot, but we’re here to support him. I think in this room we’ve all moved past it and we’ve accepted him for who he is moving forward and the things that he’s done to put himself in the position to return.”

Is Fernando Tatis Jr. playing tonight? Padres injury update

Fernando Tatis Jr. is expected to return on Thursday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks, barring an injury. Tatis Jr. underwent shoulder surgery this offseason, as well, and used some of his suspension timeline to recover.

In the minor leagues, Tatis Jr. put on a clinic, hitting .515 with a .590 OBP and 1.802 OPS. He hit seven home runs with 15 RBIs in just 33 at-bats. The detractors, of course, will suggest he as taking an illegal substance, but there is no evidence to support that claim so far.

It’s unclear where Tatis Jr. will hit in the lineup, but his most likely position is expected to be DH or in the outfield long-term.