Injury concerns followed Fernando Tatis Jr. into the new season, and those worries resurfaced Monday night.
According to the San Diego Padres, Tatis suffered a left shoulder subluxation in the third inning of their game against the San Francisco Giants. The 22-year-old shortstop will have an MRI and be re-evaluated Tuesday.
A shoulder subluxation refers to the partial dislocation of the shoulder. The nature of the injury can put surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments in jeopardy. Once a subluxation occurs, the risk of reinjury increases.
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Padres manager Jayce Tingler said the possibility of surgery or an extended absence for Tatis would be speculation at this point. Tingler added that Tatis' shoulder comes out and pops back in, but this was the first time he's seen it happen on a swing.
Tatis struck out against Anthony DeSclafani and dropped to the ground in obvious pain after taking a swing, with his bat stretching far behind him on the way through.
He winced in pain as he fell to the ground. He cradled his left arm while he got up, and Tingler and a trainer held his left arm against his body as he walked off the field.
His manager said he was feeling better after the game.
Tingler and a team trainer met Tatis on the field, who was bent over on his knees favoring his left arm. Tatis walked off the field with the trainer holding onto his arm.
Tatis faced questions about the health of his left shoulder after leaving a Spring Training game on March 23. The team labeled the injury as shoulder discomfort. Tatis returned to action just two days later and hit a home run in his first game back.
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The MLB standout last Wednesday said that he has battled a recurring shoulder ailment since his days playing rookie ball.
"It's nothing I feel like people should be worried about," Tatis said on the eve of Opening Day.
Tatis has struggled this season, committing five errors and hitting just .167, although he hit a 465-foot home run in Sunday's loss to Arizona.
He signed the longest contract in big league history on Feb. 22, a 14-year, $340 million deal.
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