:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72198356/1476345953.0.jpg "Fernando Tatis Jr. return: Where will OF bat in the Padres' lineup?")
More than 18 months since he last stepped foot on a Major League field – between an injury that sidelined him for the beginning of 2022 and the 80-game suspension he's been serving after testingn positive for a banned substance – Fernando Tatis Jr. is finally set to return to the San Diego Padres on Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
It's among the biggest storylines of this MLB season, one of the very brightest talents in baseball – a man who was last seen leading the NL in homers in just 130 games played – making his return amid plenty of doubts and criticism. As if we needed any more intrigue, Padres manager Bob Melvin gave it to us when addressing his plans for Tatis Jr. once he came back.
Where will Fernando Tatis Jr. bat in the Padres lineup?
According to Melvin, it seems very likely that the shortstop-turned-right fielder will be San Diego's regular leadoff man.
Bob Melvin says on the SNB broadcast with @Buster_ESPN that Tatis is likely to lead off upon return.
– Alex Fast (@AlexFast8) April 9, 2023