Fernando Tatis Jr. Makes First Career Start at Second Base for Padres
- Made his first career Major League Baseball start at second base on Saturday, April 11, 2026, as the San Diego Padres defeated the Colorado Rockies 9-5 at Petco...
- The move shifted the two-time Platinum Glove Award-winning right fielder back into the infield for the first time since 2021.
- The positional change was a planned move by rookie manager Craig Stammen to provide veteran players with necessary rest.
Fernando Tatis Jr. Made his first career Major League Baseball start at second base on Saturday, April 11, 2026, as the San Diego Padres defeated the Colorado Rockies 9-5 at Petco Park.
The move shifted the two-time Platinum Glove Award-winning right fielder back into the infield for the first time since 2021. Tatis began his professional career at shortstop before transitioning to the outfield, where he has become known for his defensive range and ability to rob home runs over the wall.
Strategic Roster Management
The positional change was a planned move by rookie manager Craig Stammen to provide veteran players with necessary rest. The decision allowed shortstop Xander Bogaerts to take a day off from the lineup.
To accommodate the shift, second baseman Jake Cronenworth moved to shortstop, a role he has filled in since the previous season. Nick Castellanos started in right field to cover the vacancy left by Tatis.
We felt like Tatis was the best option at second base and the most fun and exciting option at second base. Get that kid smiling a little bit might help, too.
Craig Stammen
Stammen indicated that using Tatis at second base could remain a viable option in the future when Cronenworth requires a night off. The manager, who was a former teammate of Tatis, had raised the idea of returning to the infield after becoming the team’s manager during the offseason.
Defensive Performance and Experience
Tatis demonstrated his versatility during the victory over the Rockies. His defensive contributions during the game included catching a popup in the fifth inning, fielding a ground ball in the sixth, and turning a double play.
While this marked his first official start at the position, Tatis had limited prior experience at second base in the major leagues. His only other appearance at the position occurred during the ninth inning of a 5-1 loss to Philadelphia on September 6, 2023. He recorded 10 starts at second base during the early stages of his minor-league career.
Tatis had spent the previous month drilling daily to prepare for a potential appearance at second base. When discussing the move, Tatis admitted he had not initially taken the suggestion seriously when Stammen first proposed it during the offseason.
Offensive Context
The defensive shift comes during a period of offensive struggle for the 27-year-old star. Tatis has hit .189 with five RBIs and no home runs in the current stretch.
This slump contrasts with his recent performance for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, where he hit .400 with two home runs and 11 RBIs.
Despite the offensive challenges, Tatis remains one of the premier defensive assets in the league, having earned Gold Glove and Platinum Glove awards in 2023, and 2025.