Tatís Jr. returns with Grand Slam after COVID-19 and ignites the Padres

SAN DIEGO – Fernando Tatís Jr. revealed that he contracted the COVID-19 virus a few days ago, which forced him to follow the celebration from his home while the San Diego Padres secured their place in the playoffs on Monday.Upon returning to the Padres’ lineup on Friday after missing three games, Tatis made sure the baseball world knew he was healthy and ready for October.Tatís hit a grand slam in the fourth inning of the Padres’ 7-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night, changing the course of the game and keeping San Diego in contention for a home playoff series.

I feel much better today and hope to feel even better in the coming days.
Fernando Tatís Jr.

Tatís missed the entire series at the Padres’ home against the Milwaukee Brewers earlier in the week after contracting the virus. His teammates won two of three games against the team with the best record in the majors, including an 11-inning victory on Monday that secured back-to-back playoff qualification for San Diego for the second time in franchise history.While the Padres celebrated in the locker room, Tatís felt envy.

It’s definitely hard to watch from home. We’ve played for this all year, so I was definitely expecting that celebration. But now that means we need to celebrate a couple more times.
Fernando Tatís Jr.

Tatís helped keep the party going on Friday when he connected on a home run against Arizona’s Zac Gallen, his 24th homer of the season, erasing a 2-1 deficit. The star, known as “El Niño,” stood at the plate admiring his 409-foot blast as a sold-out crowd at Petco Park roared for him.

Welcome back Tatí, right? He’s always had power. There was a period when he didn’t, but I think we’re okay with him being a dangerous guy regardless of the power included.
Mike Shildt, Padres Manager

Tatís’s illness interrupted a productive season in which he hasn’t been a dominant power hitter, but he has shown consistency and durability that eluded him in previous years. He has driven in 70 runs for the third time, but he has done so with career highs of 157 hits and 109 runs, playing in a career-high 153 games.Tatís also hit a home run against the White Sox on Sunday in the Padres’ last game before his illness.Thanks to Tatís’ grand slam and four-out save by reliever Mason Miller, the Padres (88-72) stayed in the running to host the Chicago Cubs (90-70) in their wild-card series next week, although San Diego can only avoid that trip to Wrigley Field if they win both weekend games against Arizona, while the Cubs lose twice against St. Louis.Regardless of where the teams are located, Tatís feels confident in the Padres’ chances of making another playoff run, and in his chances of continuing his impressive postseason play.He has demonstrated his power in his two previous postseason trips, connecting six home runs and driving in 12 runs in his 13 playoff games. His career postseason OPS is 1.328.