2 min read • April 09, 2025
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Fernando Tatis Jr. left Tuesday’s game with reported shoulder irritation. The issue flared up during a second-inning plate appearance when he swung and missed at an offspeed pitch from A’s lefty Jeffrey Springs and immediately winced. Tatis later said he aggravated it slightly while sliding into third base.
This definitely raises a red flag in regard to Tatis Jr. and his shoulder. This is the same shoulder that had surgery in September 2022 to repair a torn labrum and address recurring instability issues. He previously dealt with four subluxations in 2021, which caused him to miss 32 games.
That type of mechanism—like bracing during a head-first slide or landing awkwardly—can easily flare up post-op shoulders, especially when the labrum was involved. Video review by our Pro Sports Docs shows the slide fits the mechanism to irritate his surgically repaired shoulder.
Despite the scare, Tatis finished his second-inning at-bat and played into the fourth before exiting. He reported feeling no pain on subsequent swings and was upbeat postgame. “Let’s see how I wake up tomorrow,” he said. “But it’s very short notice. Not going on the IL or nothing like that.”
A team spokesperson described the injury as “irritation and soreness,” and Manager Mike Shildt confirmed there was no structural damage, noting that the team erred on the side of caution. “Everything seems to be intact,” Shildt said.
Still, a precautionary IL stint wouldn’t be surprising at all—especially if there’s any lingering inflammation or weakness. Teams tend to play it safe with surgically repaired shoulders, as re-injury could lead to a much longer absence.
The idea of a stance change also makes sense—minimizing torque and limiting the role of the top hand could help reduce discomfort during swings. And while moving to the outfield reduces the rigors compared to playing shortstop, even routine throws or diving attempts can aggravate a vulnerable shoulder.
Tatis is off to a strong start this season, batting .364 with two home runs this and seven walks.
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