PHOENIX — Fernando Tatis Jr. is again with the San Diego Padres, bringing his trademark aptitude to the sport of baseball.

He’s additionally returning with somewhat humility.

The 24-year-old performed in a daily season recreation on Thursday for the primary time since an 80-game PED suspension that shocked and angered his teammates, administration and a fan base. He’ll bat leadoff and play proper discipline towards the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“It’s like my debut in the big leagues - those nerves again,” Tatis mentioned earlier than the sport. “Just happy to be here, grateful for the chance. We have a long way to go, so can’t wait to contribute.”

Tatis’ maturity has been beneath the microscope over the previous couple years, ever since he signed a $330 million, 14-year contract previous to the 2021 season.

Tatis missed all of final season after breaking his left wrist - reportedly in a bike accident in his native Dominican Republic. He was on the cusp of coming back from that when his PED suspension was introduced on Aug. 12. He blamed his optimistic check on a cream he mentioned he used for ringworm.

The Padres nonetheless made it to the NL Championship Series earlier than falling to the Phillies.

He was one of many recreation’s premier sluggers from 2019 to 2021, batting .292 whereas mashing 81 homers, together with an NL-best 42 throughout the 2021 season. Nicknamed El Niño, Tatis additionally performs the sport with a aptitude that rapidly made him one of many recreation’s most recognizable and standard gamers.

“There are very few players who get this kind of notoriety for their first game of the season - and rightly so,” Padres supervisor Bob Melvin mentioned. “He’s made to play this game.”

The Padres had a brief staff assembly earlier than Thursday’s recreation, formally welcoming Tatis again to the fold. Some teammates had been important of Tatis when his suspension was introduced final summer time, however by all accounts, his return has been celebrated.

“You do some soul-searching during those times,” Melvin mentioned. “You realize how lucky you are to be a big league player. When you come back from something like that, you’re humbled a little and appreciative. He’s been nothing but easy to deal with, easy to manage.”

Tatis’ latest stint at Triple-A El Paso, which was in preparation of his massive league return, was a reminder how good he will be. He was 17 of 33 with seven homers and 15 RBIs in eight rehab video games, slashing .515/.590/1.212. Early in Tatis’ rehab stint, San Francisco Giants minor leaguer Kade McClure referred to as him a “cheater” on Twitter after permitting a mammoth dwelling run to the suspended participant.

Tatis mentioned there wasn’t a lot he may do concerning the barbs.

“That’s going to come,” Tatis mentioned. “Everyone has freedom of expression in this country, so nothing I can do about it. I’m just going to keep playing this game and enjoy every part of it.”

The Padres hope Tatis’ return can jolt a staff that’s had a gradual begin. San Diego has the third-highest payroll in baseball, however has began with a 11th of September document and sits in third place within the NL West.

Despite the PED suspension, Tatis was allowed to play throughout MLB’s spring coaching. He’s moved to the outfield to make room for Xander Bogaerts, who signed a $280 million, 11-year deal in December to play shortstop.

“It’s big, man,” Bogaerts mentioned of Tatis’ return earlier this week. “Time heals a lot. What I’ve seen so far is someone who wants to come in and show everyone that he’s still the real deal and what he did was a mistake and he wants to show that he’s matured from that.”

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