Padres Star Fernando Tatis Suspended 80 Games For PEDs: MLB

SAN DIEGO, CA — San Diego Padres All-Star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. has been suspended 80 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, Major League Baseball announced Friday ahead of the team's matchup against the Washington Nationals.

Tatis, who tested positive for Clostebol, is suspended effective immediately, and he will miss the playoffs. His suspension will extend 32 games into the 2023 season since the Padres have 48 games left in the regular season.

"We were surprised and extremely disappointed to learn today that Fernando Tatis Jr. tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Prevention and Treatment Program and subsequently received an 80-game suspension without pay," the Padres said in a statement. "We fully support the Program and are hopeful that Fernando will learn from this experience."

Tatis "inadvertently" took a medication containing the substance to treat ringworm, he said in a statement released by the MLB Players Association.

Tatis initially appealed the suspension but has decided to begin serving it immediately, adding there was no excuse for his error, according to the statement.

"I am completely devastated," Tatis said. "There is nowhere in the world I would rather be than on the field competing with my teammates."

The All-Star shortstop has been an electrifying presence in the Padres lineup in three seasons but has yet to play in 2022 after suffering an offseason wrist injury. He was approaching a return to the field before he was suspended, according to multiple reports.

Tatis has two Silver Slugger Awards and finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2019 before placing fourth and third in NL MVP voting, respectively, in the last two seasons. He has a career .292 batting average with a .369 on-base percentage and a .596 slugging percentage. He has hit 81 home runs in three seasons, including an NL-leading 42 last season.

The suspension dampens what was poised to be a mashing lineup in the postseason after the Padres traded multiple top prospects, including Mackenzie Gore and CJ Abrams, as well as first baseman Luke Voit to the Nationals in return for superstar outfielder Juan Soto and All-Star first baseman Josh Bell.

Despite the Padres' late-season collapse in 2021 that saw the team miss the playoffs, San Diego had high expectations entering the 2022 season under new manager Bob Melvin. During the lockout that delayed the start of the 2022 season, Tatis injured his wrist in a motorcycle accident. San Diego was being cautious with his rehabilitation, and excitement was building around the team after the blockbuster trade with his anticipated return.

Without Tatis, the Padres will have to make due with a middle of the order featuring Soto, Bell and third baseman Manny Machado.

Tatis is in the second season of a 14-year, $340 million deal he signed with the Padres in 2021, forgoing his arbitration-eligible seasons and his first opportunity at free agency for the long-term contract. He has a full no-trade clause until 2028, and his contract is fully guaranteed.

The Padres, still seeking the franchise's first World Series title, were 63-51 and holding the National League's final playoff spot entering Friday's game.