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San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. doesn’t appear to be on track towards suiting up in the 2024 MLB All-Star Game.
When asked if Tatis appearing at the game is considered unlikely, Padres skipper Mike Shildt said that the assessment was “pretty accurate,” via the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).
The 25-year-old hasn’t played since June 21 due to a stress reaction in his right leg. On Wednesday, Tatis was selected as a starting outfielder for the National League in the All-Star game.
While he acknowledged that he could have kept on playing with the injury, it wasn’t a risk that team doctors were willing to take.
“It can get worse and we don’t want that,” Tatis said, via ESPN. “I was playing through it and I probably could have kept going, but the doctors recommended to heal it now so that way it doesn’t get worse. It’s just better that way.”
Despite his absence, the Padres have continued to stay in the NL postseason picture. They’ve won seven of their past 10 contests and own a 48-43 overall record heading into Friday night’s action, holding onto a wild card berth.
Still, Tatis’ eventual return should provide a boost to San Diego’s lineup as he was in the midst of another impressive season at the plate in 2024. In 80 games, he racked up 14 home runs and 36 RBIs while hitting .279 to go along with a .354 on-base percentage.
With his presence at All-Star festivities looking increasingly unlikely, San Diego should still be well-represented. Outfielder Jurickson Profar was also named an All-Star starter on Wednesday, while Manny Machado has a chance to earn his seventh All-Star nod after he was a finalist at third base in the previous round of fan voting.
The 2024 MLB All-Star Game will be on July 16 at 8 p.m. ET.