San Diego Padres Star Fernando Tatis Jr. Back With Team Ahead of Return From PED Suspension

San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. is eligible to return from his PED suspension on Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He had been rehabbing with Triple-A El Paso but he has rejoined the Padres. Alden Gonzalez of ESPN has the update on what Tatis Jr. can be doing until his return.

San Diego Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. is back with the major league club ahead of his official reinstatement from his PED suspension.

He's eligible to play his first game for the Padres on Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Alden Gonzalez of ESPN tweeted about what Tatis Jr. is doing at this point:

"Fernando Tatis Jr. is back with the Padres today. He’ll work out here for three days, maybe take part in some sim games, then debut in Phoenix on Thursday, with no restrictions moving forward. As per his suspension, he can’t be around the team when gates open to fans."

Fernando Tatis Jr. is back with the Padres today. He’ll work out here for three days, maybe take part in some sim games, then debut in Phoenix on Thursday, with no restrictions moving forward. As per his suspension, he can’t be around the team when gates open to fans. pic.twitter.com/0yM5DHXXEd

— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) April 17, 2023

Tatis is coming off a torrid stretch in Triple-A for El Paso, where he was raking at the plate. He was 10 for his last 11 with six home runs. We recently spoke to the El Paso broadcaster, Tim Hagerty, about Tatis Jr. You can listen to that here:

This is not a repeat - Fernando Tatis Jr. just homered again for the @epchihuahuas

He's 10 for his last 11 with six home runs!

— Tim Hagerty (@tdhagerty) April 16, 2023

The 24-year-old Tatis was one of the brightest young stars in baseball just a few years ago. He made his debut at the age of 20 in 2019 and played 84 games for the Padres, hitting 22 home runs while stealing 16 bases. In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, he hit 17 more homers and then in 2021, he hit 42 homers to lead baseball and added 25 steals.

When he rejoins the Padres, he'll join a loaded team that has added Xander Bogaerts and Juan Soto since he last played, and locked up Manny Machado to another long-term contract.

The Padres are one of the favorites in the National League after acquiring Soto last year and signing Bogaerts this offseason, and adding Tatis Jr. should only help their chances.

San Diego is 8-9 entering play on Monday against the Braves.