Fernando Tatis Jr. to start at second base against Rockies Fernando Tatis Jr. made his first career start at second base for the San Diego Padres on Saturday night in a game against the Colorado Rockies. The move, which initially seemed surprising, was part of a strategic decision by manager Craig Stammen to address the team’s need for a reliable backup at the position. Tatis, a two-time Platinum Glove Award-winning right fielder, had previously played shortstop and outfield but had only made one brief appearance at second base in the majors, during a game on September 6, 2023. His start at second base marked a significant shift in his role, though it was not entirely unexpected given his recent training and preparation. Tatis’s transition to the outfield in 2023 was driven by the Padres’ belief that his athleticism and arm strength would translate better to right field, where he has excelled. Since moving to the outfield, he has regularly practiced ground balls in the infield, with a focus on second base. Stammen emphasized that the team had been planning this potential shift for some time, noting that Tatis’s ability to adapt to different positions was a key factor in the decision. “We’ve been planning this for a little while,” Stammen said. “He’s an amazing athlete, can do about anything.” The Padres’ need for a second baseman was underscored by the absence of a clear backup. Sung-Mun Song, the team’s primary second baseman, was sidelined with a left oblique strain and was in the middle of a rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso. Ty France, while capable of playing second base, was not considered a strong option for the position. With Jake Cronenworth set to slide to shortstop for the day, the Padres opted to give Tatis the opportunity to start at second base.#san_diego_padres #craig_stammen #colorado_rockies #fernando_tatis_jr #sung_mun_song
