Padres News: Joe Musgrove Commends Star Teammate's 2023 Return Amidst Adversity

The Padres righty has his fellow teammates back

The San Diego Padres are taking on the New York Yankees this weekend, and it should be an action-packed one. It marks the first time these two teams have faced each other since 2019, adding an extra layer of excitement to the series. For Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr., this will be his first career game against the storied New York Yankees.

Tatis has been nothing short of phenomenal since his return to the field. However, his remarkable performance has been somewhat overshadowed by the scrutiny surrounding his 80-game suspension for alleged PED use. Despite the controversy, Tatis's teammates have rallied around him, showing unwavering support. One such teammate is All-star righty Joe Musgrove, who has witnessed firsthand Tatis's growth as both a player and a person, both on and off the field.

“Accountability definitely has been there for him,” said Joe Musgrove, San Diego’s ace starting pitcher. “And it started about 80 games ago. After the suspension, he went through a low period for a few weeks and it was understandable. But he’s done a good job of putting it behind him. He’s mending fences with the players, coaching staff and fans. He’s forgiven himself, and moved past his mistakes. Some mistakes you can’t fix. Some you can. This one, he can.”

Scott Miller, New York Times

At just 24 years old, Tatis is displaying maturity beyond his years by actively working to repair any damaged relationships resulting from the fallout of his suspension. People make mistakes, but they shouldn't be judged by them. While some may continue to scrutinize him, Tatis remains focused on proving himself through his actions both on and off the field.

However, he knows he will hear the noise this weekend, but he is ready for it and won't let it affect his game. We can't wait to see him shine bright under the New York lights and win this series.