Fernando Tatis Jr. is reportedly going to choose against having shoulder surgery this offseason, a decision that could play a big factor in the success or failure of the San Diego Padres in 2022.
Sources have indicated that the 20-year-old All-Star will not have surgery on his left shoulder. During the 2021 season alone, Tatis Jr. went on the injured list twice with a shoulder injury, including a left shoulder subluxation (partial dislocation of a joint) after striking out with a forceful swing against the San Francisco Giants on April 5.
It’s estimated that Tatis Jr. dislocated his left shoulder at least four times during the 2021 season.
That troublesome shoulder not only caused Tatis Jr. to miss time, but also caused the San Diego Padres to ultimately rethink his defensive position in order to put less stress on the shoulder. Upon returning from his second stint on the injured list in mid-August, Tatis Jr., one of the game’s most talented shortstops, logged seven games in center field and 20 in right field.
So what could avoiding shoulder surgery in the offseason mean for Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres in 2022?
Tatis Jr. has reportedly said that he believes his shoulder is stable and that daily strengthening exercises have put him a position to avoid any more shoulder injuries. It’s also a way to avoid surgery, with an estimated rehabilitation time of five months.
That five-month window would put Tatis Jr. back with the Padres in time for spring training if all goes well, but would certainly cause any kind of offseason workouts to be put on hold. Tatis Jr. taking a chance on the shoulder healing while preparing to help the Padres overcome a brutal end to the season that dropped San Diego to 79-83 and cost manager Jayce Tingler his job makes some sense as he and the rest of the Padres are likely more motivated than ever to prove they belong among the National League’s top teams.
However, that quest could be put on hold should Tatis Jr. opt to avoid surgery and have the shoulder cause more problems in 2022. It’s a gamble, however, that Tatis Jr. and the Padres seem to be willing to make … for now. But as the offseason goes along, it seems more and more unlikely that he would opt for surgery as the recovery timeline would then drag into the regular season.
Certainly no one knows what his body can or can’t withstand more than Tatis Jr. However, this decision is a huge risk/reward proposition for not only him, but also the Padres and their near-term success.