The San Diego Padres are doing everything they can to wake up the slumping Fernando Tatis Jr.
San Diego revealed before Saturday’s game against the Colorado Rockies that they are starting the three-time All-Star Tatis at second base for the contest. It marks the first time in Tatis’ entire MLB career that he has started at second base.
Saturday starters. pic.twitter.com/vHjeKbVfkl
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 11, 2026
Tatis, 27, usually starts in right field, but moving him into the infield will allow the Padres to get Nick Castellanos’ bat into the lineup on Saturday as well. That said, Tatis, though he began his MLB career as a shortstop, only has one career inning of experience at second base (entering in the ninth inning of a blowout during a 2023 game).
It is possible that Tatis’ early-season slump factored into the Padres’ decision here. He is off to a 10-for-53 (.189) start to the season with zero home runs and five RBIs through 14 games.
Second base is a much less challenging position defensively than right field or even Tatis’ former position of shortstop. The thought for San Diego may be that a reduced load on defense can awaken Tatis’ bat before long.
The Padres sit at a respectable 8-6 to start the season but might have to gun for a Wild Card spot with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers going 10-3 to kick off the year. Tatis, the ex-NL home runs leader, also had some moments while participating in the World Baseball Classic last month, so the hope for San Diego is that he is just dealing with some fatigue at this point.
