Padres' Profar to support Tatis: 'One mistake and everyone wants to crucify you'
San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. was recently suspended 80 games for violating Major League Baseball's PED policy, but he has at least one teammate in his corner.
"I'm there by his side. I'm talking to him every day," outfielder Jurickson Profar said of Tatis, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune's Jeff Sanders. "He's feeling very bad, and everyone is talking bad. That's how the world (is). You make one mistake and everyone wants to crucify you, but not me."
Profar added: "I'm there to support him and get him through this and get him back on the field whenever he is eligible and show the world what kind of player he is again."
Tatis said he inadvertently took a ringworm medication that contained clostebol, a synthetic steroid that is banned by MLB.
He apologized to his teammates and ownership but still received criticism from general manager A.J. Preller, who questioned the 23-year-old's maturity. Tatis was also involved in a motorcycle accident during the offseason and hasn't played this year following wrist surgery.
"A lot of things between now and then will dictate that," pitcher Joe Musgrove said of welcoming back Tatis with open arms, according to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez. "He's our teammate still, and he's gonna be in our clubhouse, so we're gonna have to find a way to get on the same page and get past this."
Tatis is reportedly expected to meet with Preller in person on Thursday for the first time since his suspension.
HEADLINES
- Acuña establishes 40-70 club to key Braves' comeback win over Cubs
- Cole cements Cy Young bid with 2-hit shutout of Blue Jays
- Astros take contentious rubber match in crucial series vs. Mariners
- Cleveland salutes Francona with multiple ovations in final home game
- The Atlanta Braves are hitting like the 1927 Yankees - really