Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. suspended 80 games for PEDs

Major League Baseball announced on Friday that San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. had received an 80-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. Tatis tested positive for Clostebol, a substance in violation of MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. 

The suspension is without pay and covers the rest of the 2022 season, making the Padres superstar ineligible for the playoffs.

Tatis issued a statement claiming that he "inadvertently took a medication to treat ringworm that contained Clostebol." He later expressed remorse and said that he has "realized" his mistake and will immediately begin the suspension.

On Monday, Tatis' father, former major leaguer Fernando Tatis Sr., gave an interview that told a different story. Tatis Sr. said his son used a spray to treat a fungus he received from a haircut, and the spray contained a steroid. He said his son's mistake was not reading what the spray contained.

"It was a mistake that could have been handled differently, destroy the image of a player for such a small thing, for a situation like this," Tatis Sr. said, adding that "millions of fans will stop watching baseball" because of his son's suspension.

The 23-year-old infielder hasn't appeared in a game this season due to an offseason wrist injury, which he was nearing a return from. The Padres, who recently acquired superstar outfielder Juan Soto from the Washington Nationals, are 63-51 and in possession of the third National League wild-card seed.

Tatis Jr. had 42 home runs and 97 RBIs while posting a .282/.364/.611 batting line in 2021. He signed a 14-year, $340 million extension before last season. Shortly after the suspension was announced, the Pads released a statement expressing they were "surprised and extremely disappointed" to learn of the positive test. 

General manager A.J. Preller also noted Tatis needs to rebuild trust with the organization.

"I think we're hoping that from the offseason to now, that there would be some maturity," Preller told reporters. "And obviously with the news today, it's more of a pattern and something we've got to dig a little bit more into.

"I'm sure he's very disappointed but at the end of the day, it's one thing to say it. You have to start by showing it with your actions."