PED Suspension for Fernando Tatis Jr. Spoils Soto's Return to Washington D.C.

Just when we were all hoping for Tatis Jr. to come back within the next home series potentially next week, all of us Padre fans were thinking about the most lethal lineup in Major League Baseball. However, right before first pitch in the opening series against the Nationals, breaking news erupted the baseball world to which we learned on Tatis and his suspension.

Just on my previous episode, I was stating how the Padres can take full advantage of their easier August schedule remaining and Tatis coming back would result in the lineup being so deadly for opposing pitchers. Now, with the lineup currently, it has improved drastically but Tatis would have been very nice whether he was the leadoff hitter or the cleanup guy.

An 80-game suspension will be underway immediately for El Niño. So around 30-40 games into the beginning of next year. The suspension came into affect as Tatis Jr. tested positive for Clostebol. Tatis stated that he took medication for treating ringworm that included that substance before. He later apologized to the team and the league regarding this shocking news. Tatis also stated he will not appeal his suspension and will have his suspension go into play right away.

Is this brutal? Yes, of course. However, he can now focus on himself without rushing back to a team that has been used to not having him on the field for the whole season. I am sure manager Bob Melvin will have a stern talk with the kid to try and keep his career sharp later on. This will take a major toll on how people look at this kid and it will be well deserved at first. I am sorry, but any PED users should be ashamed. I have to keep my firm opinion on that as I believe Barry Bonds should never be in the Hall of Fame and glad that he will never be. (Besides, if we keep Soto, him and Machado are looking like future Padre Hall of Famers).

What scares me is the clock that is ticking. Think about it. So much pressure now with Soto for the next few years unless extended and on top of that, many Padre pitchers will be free agents soon unless resigned somehow. Clevinger, Manaea after this season and Darvish with Snell next season. The team took the major risk in trading away many of their top prospects and future for Soto and more.

The 23-year-old shortstop was a sensation for this Padres team since getting called up and has been a major contribute to the teams' energy and future. If it was not for the trade deadline recently, I would throw the towel, but let's see now with a very improved offense if this squad Tatis-less can make a deep playoff run and potentially win their first World Series in Padres history.