Padres News: Bob Melvin Open to Tatis Making Another Position Change

Still in the outfield but a little more left!

One of the biggest stories heading into the San Diego Padres' 2023 season was undoubtedly the fact that Fernando Tatis Jr. would be making his long-awaited return. This was something that the baseball world had been waiting for but didn't actually know if they were ready for it because of all the controversy they believed came with him.

However, fans of the San Diego Padres were especially once they revealed their official plans for him. Tatis could not join rejoin the team at the season opener because of his PED suspension holding him back until April 20th but he was able to get reps in with his teammates at Spring Training and he was actually at a new position.

The Friars could not wait forever for Nando to get back and they went shopping over this past offseason, pretty expensive shopping at that. They first offered $300 million to Trea Turner which showed how badly they wanted another star shortstop and then retreated signed Xander Bogaerts instead.

Xander Bogaerts sneaks one through the drawn-in infield to give the Padres the lead in the 9th!pic.twitter.com/ecd1g13eKk

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) May 31, 2023

So Tatis did what he needed to do and complied with what the team asked of him which was a move to the outfield. He has been able to showcase his athleticism and arm while he's out there and has been able to be near the crowd as well, which is good depending on who you ask.

But it looks like team manager Bob Melvin is toying with the idea of moving his superstar on defense once again... this time to centerfield. He was also captured practicing out there.

Fernando Tatis Jr has began taking Center Field Reps for the #Padres 👀 pic.twitter.com/6noVw3U3Jk

— Borna Nazari (@thehogwatch) May 31, 2023

“We can play Fernando Tatis Jr. out there if we wanted to,” Melvin said yesterday. “… He plays pretty good right field for us right now. He’s in there every day. But if we needed to do something or if something happened in-game or we wanted to give Grish another day off, (Tatis) has been taking fly balls in center field.”

(Via The San Diego-Union Tribune)

We'll definitely keep you guys updated as we know more!