Tatis returns for 1st MLB game since 2021

Fernando Tatis Jr. played for the San Diego Padres on Thursday for the first time in more than a year.

Tatis, who hit leadoff for the Padres, went hitless in his return to the majors but made a great play in right field as an outfielder to rob the Arizona Diamondbacks of an extra-base hit:

"I hit the ball hard," Tatis said of his plate appearances, according to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell. "I hit the ball to every single part of the field. At the end of the day, this is baseball. I feel really good with my at-bats."

The 24-year-old missed the 2022 season after fracturing his wrist in a motorcycle accident in the offseason. He was also handed an 80-game suspension in August after testing positive for an anabolic steroid.

"That's gonna come," Tatis said when asked about being called a cheater by minor-league pitcher Kade McClure, according to NBC San Diego's Darnay Tripp. "Everybody has freedom of expression in this country. Nothing I can do about it. I'm just going to keep playing this game and enjoy every part of it."

Tatis, a two-time Silver Slugger, excelled on his rehab assignment in Triple-A, posting a staggering 1.802 OPS with seven home runs and 15 RBIs in just eight games.

To make room on the roster for Tatis, the Padres optioned outfielder Brandon Dixon and transferred right-handed pitcher Robert Suarez to the 60-day injured list.

Prior to his injury and suspension, Tatis had blossomed into one of the league's top hitters. He was on a trajectory to become a perennial MVP threat, finishing fourth and third in voting in 2020 and '21, respectively. Over three seasons and 273 games, he's hit .292/.369/.596 with 81 homers and 52 stolen bases.

Before the 2021 campaign, Tatis and the Padres agreed to a record 14-year, $340-million extension that'll run through 2034.

While he's a natural shortstop, Tatis has been moved off the position due to shoulder injuries. The Padres added Xander Bogaerts this past winter on an 11-year, $280-million contract to fill that role on the diamond, officially making Tatis a full-time outfielder.