San Diego Padres start Fernando Tatis Jr. at second base against the Diamondbacks

San Diego manager Craig Stammen announced that Fernando Tatis Jr. will start at second base for the Padres' next game in the series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The move marks a rare defensive shift for the three‑time All‑Star, who has played second base only 25 times in his career and 41 times this season, but has shown offensive upside there, batting .325 with four home runs, 11 RBIs and an OPS+139.

The change comes as the Padres, sitting 58‑55, chase a wild‑card spot in the National League, two games behind the Philadelphia Phillies and Diamondbacks. While the team’s infield is crowded and a full‑time move to the infield is still being discussed for future seasons, the immediate focus is on winning the remaining games in the series to stay alive in the race.