The news that Superstar of the San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis Jr. tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance, resulting in an 80-game postponement that shocked the baseball world Friday night. He also shocked an organization with World Series aspirations. San Diego Padres’ Juan Soto, left, and GM AJ Preller answer questions during a press conference to introduce Soto on Aug. 3, 2022, at Petco Park in San Diego. (Denis Poroy/Getty Images) The Padres went all-in at the Major League Baseball trade deadline, trading for superstar outfielder Juan Soto and first baseman Josh Bell. The deal immediately catapulted San Diego into the World Series conversation, especially with Tatis Jr. who is expected to return to the diamond sometime in the second half. Tatis missed the first three months of the season recovering from offseason wrist surgery. PADRES FERNANDO TATIS JR. SUSPENSION 80 GAMES FOR PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT DRUGS Just last weekend, Tatis Jr. headed to San Antonio to begin his rehab mission as he approaches his debut in 2022. Tatis Jr.’s thought next to Soto, Bell and Manny Machado would strike fear to any pitcher in October. Now, the Padres will try to recover from the disappointment of losing their All-Star shortstop for the rest of the regular season, the playoffs and part of the 2023 season. San Diego Padres’ Manny Machado is congratulated by teammates after hitting a home run during Game 4 against the Miami Marlins, May 5, 2022, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) “It’s very disappointing,” Padres president of baseball operations AJ Preller said Friday night, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. “He’s someone that, from an organizational standpoint, we’ve invested time and money into. “When he’s on the field, he makes a difference. You’ve got to learn from situations. We were hoping from the offseason until now that there would be some maturity, and obviously with the news today, it’s more of a pattern, and it’s something we have to dig into a little bit more… I’m sure he’s very disappointed. But, at the end of the day, it’s one thing to say it. You have to start showing it Actions.” TRADE TRADE JUAN SOTO TO PANDRES IN BLOCKBUSTER DEADLINE DEAL The Padres signed Tatis Jr. a massive contract in 2021, agreeing to a 14-year, $340 million extension. It is the second time in recent months that Tatis Jr. is frustrating his teammates, with a wrist injury reportedly the result of an off-season motorcycle accident. Mike Clevinger of the San Diego Padres pitches in the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 12, 2022 in Washington, DC (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) “Very disappointed,” Padres pitcher Mike Clevinger said. “This is the second time we’ve been disappointed with him. You hope he grows and learns from this and learns that it’s not just about him right now.” CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Preller told reporters that trust between the two sides, which has been missing in recent months, needs to be built. San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr., left, talks with Josh Bell during a game against the Colorado Rockies, Aug. 4, 2022, at Petco Park in San Diego. (Denis Poroy/Getty Images) “We’re going to start carving out the shoulder and the wrist; we’re going to look into that a little more now because we’ll have a little more time to have some discussions there,” Preller said. “I think what we need to get to is a point in time where we trust. “Over the last six or seven months, I think that’s been something we haven’t really been able to have there. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “From our point of view, obviously he’s a big talent, he’s a guy we have a big history with and we believe in. But these things only work when there’s trust both ways. I think that’s going to be something that we’re going to have a lot of discussion and time to talk with Fernando. That’s something that, clearly, if we’re going to have a partnership and a real relationship, we’re going to have to make sure that’s strong.” The Padres are 64-51 and two games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers for the final wild-card spot in the National League. Joe Morgan is a sports reporter for Fox News.
