SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres We have replaced the planned Fernando Tatis Jr. bobblehead party with a Juan Soto T-shirt giveaway after the superstar shortstop was banned 80 games Friday following a positive test for a performance-enhancing drug.
Tatis, a 23 year-old sensation and one the brightest stars of Major League Baseball was just a few steps away from returning to the Padres after a broken wrist kept him out of action for the entire season. Tatis looked on track to return to the team before the Sept. 7, bobblehead night — but he was not able to pass the positive test.
Instead, the Padres will give fans shirts in their City Connect color scheme with Soto’s name and number. 22 on their backs before they play Arizona Diamondbacks. Tuesday was the day that the team announced this change.
Soto, also 23, was also acquired from the Washington Nationals in a blockbuster deadline deal Aug. 2.
The Padres’ City Connect jerseys feature vivid colors that celebrate cross-border culture. They are worn by the Padres for Friday night home matches.
MLB stated that Tatis tested positive to Clostebol, an anti-anabolic steroid. Tatis claimed he took an illegal medication to treat ringworm and was accidentally exposed to the banned substance.
Many of Tatis’ teammates, including the pitcher, were critical following Friday’s announcement. Mike ClevingerHe spoke out about being “disappointed” in Tatis, and hoped that the shortstop would realize that “it’s more than him right now.”