Fernando Tatis Jr.’s plans to return when Padres begin training

Infielder-outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. push to return from the long-awaited shoulder surgery and two wrist procedures began roughly a month ago, setting up the 24-year-old to be a full participant not only for the start of the San Diego Padres’ spring training but when he’s able to return from his PED suspension on April 20.

Fernando Tatis Jr. was asked what position he's playing this year.

Tatis: "I feel like everybody is on the same page, and that page is winning." pic.twitter.com/glJ6OeyOMS

— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) February 4, 2023

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“I missed it a lot,” Tatis said. “I missed a year of it, and I’m not looking forward to missing anymore.”

Tatis, who will serve the remaining 20 games of his 80-game suspension at the start of the 2023 regular season, estimated being “90 percent” recovered from recent shoulder and wrist surgeries and has been taking part in baseball activities for about a month.

The Padres’ first full-squad workout will take place in 17 days, and Tatis plans on being a full participant from the onset.

“I got to talk to my manager,” Tatis said with a laugh.

The Padres went into the offseason with two premium shortstops in Tatis and Ha-seongKim, who provided Gold Glove-caliber defense at the position in 2022, but they nonetheless signed free agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts to an 11-year, $280 million contract.