Fernando

Tatis Jr.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported earlier in the offseason that he believes it’s “finally time” for Robert to be traded, so we’re going to see a few teams being linked to him. What makes this report interesting is that there doesn’t seem to be a place for Robert in San Diego with Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, and Ramon Laureano as the starting outfield. However, there have also been trade rumors surrounding Tatis as the Padres look to shed salary and add young, controllable starting pitchers. Perhaps there could be a few levers being pulled here.

Crow-Armstong (center field), Ian Happ (left field) and Nico Hoerner (second base) made it three Gold Glove winners for the Cubs. Also chosen were Logan Webb (pitcher), Patrick Bailey (catcher), Matt Olson (first base), Ke’Bryan Hayes (third base), Masyn Winn (shortstop), Fernando Tatis Jr. (right field) and Javier Sanoja (utilityman). Those seem like all of the right choices for the most part, though we’re once again seeing there’s just no reason for there to be a utilityman Gold Glove handed out every year.

The Padres believe that they rolled out the best that they have to offer in the first two games of the series, so there’s no reason to deviate from that in Game 3 on Thursday. Once again, it’ll look like this: Fernando Tatis Jr (RF), Luis Arraez (1B), Manny Machado (3B), Jackson Merrill (CF), Xander Bogaerts (SS), Ryan O’Hearn (DH), Gavin Sheets (LF), Jake Cronenworth (2B) and Freddy Fermin (C).

The 26-year-old superstar launched the second pitch thrown by Eduardo Rodriguez for a 413-foot (109.6 mph EV) solo shot that gave the Padres a lead they would never relinquish. He finished the evening 1-for-2 and is now hitting .267/.367/.446 with 25 homers, 71 RBI and 32 stolen bases on the season.

The Diamondbacks were eliminated from postseason contention with the defeat. Tatis’s fourth career slam was a no-doubter off Zac Gallen. He’s hit an incredible .452 with just seven strikeouts in 52 career plate appearances with the bases loaded. The 26-year-old told reporters he missed a couple games earlier this week due to COVID. He’s clearly feeling better now and should be a full-go for the postseason.

The 26-year-old superstar missed each of the team’s previous three ballgames while battling an illness. He’s back out in right field and hitting atop the Padres’ lineup for Friday evening’s showdown against Zac Gallen and the Diamondbacks.

Tatis will miss a third straight game while dealing with his illness. The 26-year-old should be back before the end of the regular season and for the Wild Card round next week.

There’s zero incentive for San Diego to rush Tatis back until he’s feeling completely healthy again after they locked up a postseason berth on Monday night with a walk-off victory over Milwaukee. The 26-year-old offensive catalyst figures to return at some point later this week to get back up to speed in advance of next week’s playoffs.

The Padres, and fantasy managers, are certainly hoping Tatis is feeling better sooner than later with just a handful of days left in the regular season. San Diego is three games behind Los Angeles in the NL West, but are five games clear of Cincinnati and New York in the senior circuit’s final Wild Card playoff berth.

Tatis’ home run was his 23rd of the year. The 26-year-old outfielder hit a solo shot off Sean Burke in the third inning. Tatis has a hit in seven of his last eight games with two home runs in that span. He’s hitting .267 with an .805 OPS and 66 RBI this season.