Posted: 16:59, 14 August 2022 | Updated: 17:00, 14 August 2022
Banned MLB superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. is said to be “remorseful” after being suspended for 80 games. The San Diego shortstop spoke with Padres manager Bob Melvin on the phone Saturday. The governor would not reveal much else about the “private conversation.” Tatis was suspended on Friday after testing positive for Clostebol, a performance-enhancing anabolic steroid. The shock suspension was announced by MLB moments before the Padres’ 10-5 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday. Despite the massive ban and its impact on their season, Melvin neglected to mention it to his players before Saturday’s 4-3 loss at Washington. Fernando Tatis Jr. He was due to return to play immediately before the shock suspension on Friday As for whether Tatis wants to address his teammates, the skipper replied: “I don’t know where or when that will happen, so I’m not sure at this point.” Padres players were undoubtedly shocked by the ban, some going so far as to criticize the charismatic All-Star. Pitcher Mike Clevinger revealed he was “frustrated” with Tatis and hoped she would soon recognize that “it’s about more than him right now.” Tatis led the National League with 42 home runs last season. The Dominican had not played in 2022 after suffering a fractured left wrist during the offseason following a reported motorcycle accident. Padres first-year skipper Bob Melvin still has San Diego in the hunt for an NL playoff spot Padres general manager AJ Preller bolstered his roster before the trade deadline earlier this month, adding sluggers Juan Soto and Josh Bell from the Nationals, Josh Hader from the Milwaukee Brewers and infielder Brandon Drury from the Cincinnati Reds. Melvin believes these new faces will help make dealing with Tatis’ absence for the rest of this season (along with the start of next season) easier. “We really like our team,” Melvin said. “If someone gets injured along the way here, we would feel good about our team. So that’s how you have to deal with the Tatis situation.’ An added element of this is any uncertainty about when Tatis could play in 2022 — and how that might affect the lineup — is now gone. “You didn’t know for sure 100 percent how he was going to respond once he came back and started playing,” Melvin said. “There’s some finality to what we know we have here for the next — what is it? — About six weeks until the end of the season. And we like the team we have.” Padres pitcher Mike Clevinger was less than impressed with Tatis’ condition after Friday’s game
