With certain players, you just know, and San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. is one of them. From playing soccer and tripping/falling while dealing with an injury last season, to getting into a motorcycle accident and missing most of 2022, to now facing a PED suspension that will likely see him out for parts of 2023, Tatis Jr. is watching his stock plummet as Los Angeles Dodgers fans enjoy the ride.
On Friday evening, as everyone was waiting for MLB action to start, ESPN insider Jeff Passan dropped the bomb on Twitter to ruin every Padres fans’ night. Then Major League Baseball made it official: Tatis Jr. will be suspended for 80 games, meaning he’ll officially be out for 32 games next year (the Padres have 48 remaining on this year’s schedule).
It was the Friday news dump of all Friday news dumps. Tatis Jr. was finally on a rehab assignment nearing a return to the big league roster as he worked his way back from an injured wrist, and this derails everything for the Dodgers’ division rival.
The suspension takes the shine off the Padres’ epic trade deadline, which was supposed to make them a behemoth for the remaining 40-plus games and postseason. Now? They’ll have to live with this overshadowing every last positive thing general manager AJ Preller has done.
Twitter, take it away! (But here’s evidence of the official news first, before we begin our fun ripping the Pads.)
Fernando Tatis Jr. will be suspended for 80 games, MLB announced. The suspension will cover the remainder of this season and will render him ineligible for the postseason. It will continue into the beginning of next year. On the verge of returning, he's done for the year.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 12, 2022
Dodgers fans are ripping the Padres for Fernando Tatis Jr’s PED suspension
OK, now for the cheap shots.
Cant believe they traded James Shields for him https://t.co/2RKFyTDuQu
— Jeremy Frank (@MLBRandomStats) August 12, 2022
Yup, he’s about as useful as James Shields now, too.
https://twitter.com/roxygirl7985/status/1558228009810739200?s=20&t=JREWUKIc8CkWHAPrHmIOqw
Even Charlie Murphy’s laughing!
The Padres gave $340 million to a complete headcase. First he crashed his dirt bike & now he’s a steroid user. No chance of ever making it to the Hall of Fame now. Just LOL @ AJ Preller. https://t.co/ev2zSNIzRv
— Klein25 (@Klein25) August 12, 2022
It’s true. He got $340 million after playing just 143 games across two MLB seasons. Unbelievable work by San Diego.
San Diego about to have a mass gathering near a ledge. https://t.co/9abhvpkOf6
— Mike Motherfucking White Fanpage (@UrinatingTree) August 12, 2022
Call your friends and family in San Diego to offer some words of support.
“Billy, this is Fernando Tatis Jr. He is a generational talent at short stop and one of the best players in the MLB. His defect, he is a fucking idiot” https://t.co/RbQrBpGK2v pic.twitter.com/pRpcmbFtD1
— spencer🦕 (@Spenred) August 12, 2022
We’ve got the Moneyball scouting report on Tatis Jr., finally!
Padres fans Padres fans
— ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶ (@jonnyIoaisiga) August 12, 2022
August 2nd August 12th https://t.co/ThKT7BZpdw pic.twitter.com/tsiZaxVoke
Somehow, there’s even a Euphoria meme for this. Tatis Jr. has bridged gaps where we didn’t even know they could exist.
Lmfaoooo pic.twitter.com/1qDC1qyv86
— Jesse ⚡️ Hurtado (@jessehurtado85) August 12, 2022
That should just about do it. Perfect way to end things. Sorry about the ruined weekend/happy hour/season/life, Padres fans. But this is just the way it is for you.
The Dodgers remain top dogs thanks to sound decision making while you chase your tail trying to catch the best team in baseball. And it all came undone thanks to the man you invested your entire future in. Can’t wait for the documentary, which will no doubt come before a World Series appearance.

Fernando Tatis Jr.’s soccer stunt proves why Padres will never be relevant
Los Angeles Dodgers fans have to be laughing at Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres for the circus their star player attracts.