Add Wil Meyers and Eric Hosmer to the list of Padres out due to coronavirus health and safety protocols.
The Padres announced before Tuesday’s game that Fernando Tatis Jr. had tested positive for COVID-19. Jurickson Profar and Jorge Mateo were placed on the IL due to contact tracing.
After San Diego beat the Rockies 8-1 Tuesday to open a three-game series in Colorado, manager Jayce Tingler confirmed Meyers had tested positive, too. Hosmer was also placed on the IL.
Both Tatis and Meyers are asymptomatic, Tingler said.
Tingler also said that the Padres are a couple players short of the 85% vaccination threshold — COVID-19 protocols will be relaxed for players and coaches who have been vaccinated and are on teams who hit the 85% mark — but Tingler thinks the Padres will get there. The manager also said that he thought Tatis did not break any rules.
Padres fans, famous for showing their colorful personality on Twitter, reacted to the announcement with a series of memes, expressing their worry and fear.
For Tatis, the diagnosis is another layer to what has been an up-and-down start to the season. On April 5, he suffered a subluxation of his left shoulder. He returned April 16 and has remained healthy since. The 22-year-old has posted some impressive offensive numbers, notably nine home runs and seven stolen bases in 26 games. He has struggled defensively, however, and is responsible for an MLB-leading 11 errors.
Meanwhile, Profar’s versatility has made him a fixture in the lineup. His 107 at-bats are fourth-most on the team. He’s made 27 appearances in the outfield, and seven as an infielder. He’s hitting .234 with 10 RBI and five stolen bases.
Mateo made the Opening Day roster after a strong spring. The utility player is batting .250 and hit his first career home run this season.
Monday’s series opener against the Rockies was postponed due to bad weather in Denver. The Padres had an unscheduled day off on the road, and will make up Monday’s game with a doubleheader Wednesday.
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