Padres get much needed good news after latest Fernando Tatis Jr. injury update

After taking a series from the Guardians over the weekend, the San Diego Padres got the nice start to the second half that they were looking for. Xander Bogaerts is looking good at the plate after returning from the IL, and both Dylan Cease and Michael King were electric on the mound.

However, many fans have still been left wondering when Fernando Tatis Jr. will return, and if the Padres can stay in the playoff hunt while he is out.

Fans' hopes and dreams hinged on the results of Tatis Jr.'s MRI over the All-Star break. If his stress reaction wasn't healing as well as expected, there was a realistic possibility that he could miss much (or all) of the second half of the season. However, good news from that scan could mean he could return much sooner.

Luckily, the results of Tatis Jr.'s scan were, in fact, quite good and it looks like Tatis Jr. could be back in the Padres' lineup come August.

Padres News: Fernando Tatis Jr.'s MRI revealed good news, August return likely

According to Padres manager Mike Shildt, Tatis Jr.'s injury hasn't fully healed, but his progress is more than enough to take part in baseball activities again. This means that, while Tatis Jr. isn't going to immediately head out on a rehab assignment and be back in the lineup in a week, a return in August feels quite likely barring any setbacks.

This is obviously great news for the Padres. While San Diego has played themselves into a decent positon with Tatis Jr. out, you'll struggle to find anyone that thinks that the Padres are true contenders without him in their lineup and playing well. He is just that kind of talent.

The next test will be in a couple of weeks when Tatis Jr. will get a follow-up scan as he begins to ramp back up. Assuming he isn't being limited by the injury and he continues to heal, we are likely to find out then when he will go out on a rehab assignment. That general timeline puts his return in the middle of August firmly on the table and could mean the Padres will be near full strength for the stretch run.

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