Padres Shift Fernando Tatis Jr. to Second Base

The star shortstop will make his first MLB start at a new defensive position against the Rockies.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 10:21pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball player in the act of fielding a ground ball at second base, with the vibrant colors of the Padres and Rockies uniforms breaking down into sharp, overlapping planes.The Padres' decision to shift star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. to second base reflects the team's willingness to try new approaches to spark their struggling offense.San Diego Today

The San Diego Padres have decided to shift star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. to second base for their game against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night. Tatis, a three-time All-Star and former NL home run leader, has struggled offensively to start the season, batting just .189 with no home runs through 14 games. The Padres are hoping the position change will help spark Tatis and the team as they look to keep pace with the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.

Why it matters

Tatis is one of the most dynamic and talented players in baseball, so any change to his role or position is significant news. The Padres are banking on the position switch helping to get Tatis going at the plate and keeping their team near the top of the standings in the competitive NL West.

The details

Despite Tatis' slow start, the Padres are confident in his abilities and are willing to try a new defensive alignment to get him going. Tatis has primarily played shortstop and right field in his MLB career, but the Padres believe his athleticism and versatility will allow him to make a smooth transition to second base. The team is hoping the position change will help unlock Tatis' offensive potential and provide a spark for the team as they look to overtake the Dodgers in the division.

  • The Padres announced the position change for Tatis prior to Saturday night's game against the Rockies.

The players

Fernando Tatis Jr.

A three-time MLB All-Star, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove outfielder, Tatis is considered one of the faces of the Padres franchise and one of the most exciting young players in baseball.

San Diego Padres

The Padres are an MLB team based in San Diego, California that currently sits in second place in the NL West division behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Colorado Rockies

The Rockies are the Padres' opponent on Saturday night, as San Diego looks to continue its recent momentum and gain ground in the division.

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What they’re saying

“The baseball gods are really mad at me.”

— Fernando Tatis Jr.

What’s next

The Padres will monitor Tatis' performance at second base and see if the position change helps spark his offense. If it does not, they may consider other options to get him going, such as moving him back to his natural position of shortstop or right field.

The takeaway

The Padres are taking a proactive approach to try to get their star player Fernando Tatis Jr. going at the plate, even if it means moving him to an unfamiliar defensive position. This reflects the team's commitment to keeping Tatis and the Padres in contention in the tough NL West division.