The San Diego Padres added another All-Star to their star-studded lineup on Thursday night, as Fernando Tatis Jr. he played in an MLB game for the first time since the end of the 2021 season.
After losing most of the season 2022 Recovering from wrist surgery following a motorcycle accident, Tatis was suspended 80 games in August after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr., #23, high-fives Ha-Seong Kim, #7, after a catch during the eighth inning of an MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 20, 2023. in Phoenix, Arizona. The Padres defeated the Diamondbacks 7-5. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
After starting the season with Triple-A El PasoTatis played right field against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday, going 0-5 with two strikeouts in his return.
MINOR LEAGUE PITCHER RIPS FERNANDO TATIS JR AFTER REHAB ASSIGNMENT: ‘CHEATER MAKES A HOMERUN’
«It’s great to be back with my guys,» Tatis said. «Just happy to get that ‘W’ and be back. I embraced every moment, I embraced the fans, I embraced everything.»
Tatis, who made the switch from shortstop to right field in the offseason, made a nice play on a line drive in the eighth inning. stealing diamondbacks third baseman Josh Rosas for an extra-base hit.
San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis, Jr. #23 makes a catch during the eighth inning of a MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 20, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Padres defeated the Diamondbacks 7-5. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
«It’s just not as easy to come in and get four or five hits as everyone expects,» Padres manager Bob Melvin said. «But he definitely contributed in the outfield.»
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
San Diego defeated Arizona 7-5 on the road, moving to 10-11 on the season.
«I accepted every moment,» Tatis said after the game, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. «I embraced the fans. I embraced everything. Just happy to be back… Just me getting back on the field, I feel like that was the highlight of the day for me. Remembering everything I went through, every process, every surgery, every moment at night, at midnight, when I would wake up thinking about what I was going to do next in my life.
Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres walks in the dugout before the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 20, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Tatis son was suspended by Major League Baseball on August 12, 2022, claiming that he had «unknowingly» taken medication to treat ringworm.
The medication contained Clostebol, which is a prohibited substance.
Associated Press contributed to this report.