The San Diego Padres are going to need all the pieces to fall into place to chase down the Los Angeles Dodgers in the loaded National League West. But they haven’t been so fortunate to begin the season, even though their record doesn’t reflect their bad luck.
Luis Arráez and Jackson Merrill have already missed time with injuries. The Padres’ best player, Fernando Tatis Jr., could also miss some time after a scary hit by pitch during Friday night’s game.
During the third inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tatis was drilled in the forearm by a 93-mile-per-hour fastball from Pirates starter Mitch Keller.
Tatis quickly crumbled over in very obvious pain.
The Padres’ superstar would leave the game, not before a camera caught the massive welt already swelling up on his left forearm.
Tatis is in the midst of an incredible season.
Through 29 games, the 26-year-old is slashing .345/.409/.602 with eight home runs and seven stolen bases. He’s one of the more impressive players in the league right now, as many consider him the National League MVP favorite at the moment.
The star hadn’t immediately undergone any imaging as of Friday night, but it’s likely coming in the near future. For the Padres, they can’t afford for him to have suffered a broken bone. He’s the heartbeat of their lineup with an irreplaceable bat.
Only time will tell the severity of this scary moment for the Padres’ star.
