Tatis fractures his wrist, he could be inactive for three months

PEORIA, Arizona, USA (AP) - Fernando Tatis Jr. will probably have to operate for a broken wrist and will not be able to play for at least three months, San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller reported on Monday.

The Dominican apparently suffered the injury during the winter break and realized its seriousness only when he began preparing for the preseason, Preller said.

In December, rumors circulated that Tatis had injured his hand and knee in a motorcycle accident in the Dominican Republic. Tatis said she felt pain in her wrist shortly after, but she thought it was a bruise.

He said that the injury surprised him and that it worsened when he tried to bat to get ready for spring training, which was delayed by the lockout.

“It's wrong, it's terrible. I feel like everyone is disappointed, especially me,” Tatis acknowledged. “We have a good opportunity this year as a team. I just want to be out there for my team and for the fans.”

The injury is a serious blow for a team trying to start from scratch after a colossal collapse at the end of last season.

Tatis, 23, suffered a series of injuries to his left shoulder last year, but he still led the National League in home runs, with 42 hits from four corners in 130 games, and finished third in the vote for the league's Most Valuable Player.

He hit .282 with 97 pushes and 25 stolen bases.

Twice he was on the list of injured people with problems in his left shoulder and from COVID-19.

Last year, he signed a 14-year, $330 million contract with the Fathers.