SAN DIEGO (AP) – The San Diego Padres have replaced a planned Fernando Tatis Jr. bobblehead night. for a gift of Juan Soto jerseys after the superstar shortstop was banned 80 games Friday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
Tatis, a 23-year-old sensation and one of the brightest stars in all of Major League Baseball, was on the verge of returning to the Padres from a broken wrist that had sidelined him all season. He was on track to rejoin the team well before the Sept. 7 bobblehead night, until the positive test.
Instead, the Padres will offer fans jerseys in the club’s City Connect color scheme with Soto’s name and No. 22 on the back before playing the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team announced the move on Tuesday.
Soto, also 23 and one of baseball’s hottest young faces, was acquired from the Washington Nationals in a blockbuster deal on Aug. 2.
The Padres City Connect jerseys, worn for Friday night home games, feature vibrant colors that celebrate the cross-border culture of San Diego and Tijuana.
MLB said Tatis tested positive for Clostebol, an anabolic steroid. Tatis said he accidentally took a medication to treat ringworm that contained the banned substance. Several teammates criticized Tatis after Friday’s announcement, including pitcher Mike Clevinger, who spoke of being “disappointed” with Tatis and hoping the shortstop realizes “it’s more than him right now.” .
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