Fernando Tatis Jr. settles Padres fans' nerves with home run in return from injury

Padres fans can all take a major sigh of relief in unison. Their face of the franchise and superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. was agonizingly pulled from the starting lineup on Wednesday after dealing with left shoulder pain. It was the same shoulder that underwent surgery a few years ago, so fans were left holding their breath unsure of the severity of his pain this week.

He missed just one game, and in his return on Friday night against the Rockies, he put all worries to bed. Tatis Jr. went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, highlighted by a 411-foot solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Fernando Tatis Jr. homers in first game back with Padres

An exit velocity almost reaching 113 MPH, Tatis Jr. got all of that pitch, proving that his shoulder provided no issues while swinging. It was his third home run of the 2025 season, leading the Friars to an 8-0 win.

Unfortunately, Tatis Jr. was the only one to return to the field on Friday. Jake Cronenworth, who was also out of the lineup on Wednesday, was optimistic that he'd return with Tatis Jr. for the start of the series against Colorado, but he was sent to the 10-day injured list with a fractured rib.

Jose Iglesias took Cronenworth's spot at second base on Friday, and he provided a 2-for-4 night with two RBIs and a run scored. Ideally, San Diego won't have to miss Cronenworth too much if Iglesias can fill that role consistently. It definitely makes the sting less painful knowing that Tatis Jr. is back, too.

The Padres are 11-3 this season, and you'd never think they were dealing with injury problems so early on. Manager Mike Shildt and his staff have done a splendid job grinding out wins without Yu Darvish and Matt Waldron, and now without Cronenworth for some time.