Wed Apr 16 04:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Padres’ Tatis Rejects Center Field Move Despite Injuries
**San Diego, CA** – The San Diego Padres will not be moving star player Fernando Tatis Jr. from right field to center field, despite injuries to Brandon Lockridge and Jackson Merrill leaving a hole in their outfield. Tatis, a 2023 Platinum Glove winner in right field, expressed his desire to remain in his current position, citing the challenges of covering the vast expanse of Petco Park’s right field. Manager Mike Shildt echoed Tatis’ sentiment, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong right field presence.
With Tatis staying put, the Padres are exploring other options to fill the center field void. Tyler Wade received the starting nod on Monday against the Cubs, while Jason Heyward and newly-called-up Connor Joe are also potential candidates, though both have limited experience in center field recently. Joe, a San Diego native, expressed his excitement about joining the Padres after a brief stint in Triple-A El Paso.
The Padres’ outfield situation is further complicated by the limited center field experience of the other outfielders on the roster: Oscar Gonzalez.
The team’s recent game against the Cubs was also overshadowed by a magnitude 5.2 earthquake near Julian, California. While most players and staff members were largely unaffected, reliever Alek Jacob described a somewhat frightening experience felt on the fifth floor of his building.
First Piper 