Padres Shake Up Lineup, Tatis Moves to Second Base

Musgrove Faces Setback in Recovery, Padres Free Agent Signs with Brewers

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:59pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, fragmented painting depicting a baseball game or match, with sharp geometric shapes in bold colors like navy, red, and yellow overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract composition that captures the multifaceted nature of the Padres' recent news.The Padres' lineup shuffle and Musgrove's recovery setback expose the complex geometry of a baseball team's fortunes.San Diego Today

The San Diego Padres made a surprising move by shifting superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. to second base for a game against the Colorado Rockies. Padres manager Craig Stammen believes the position change could unlock improved offensive production from the 27-year-old. Additionally, Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove provided an ominous update on his recovery from Tommy John surgery, while a former Padres free agent signed with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Why it matters

The Padres are looking to get the most out of their star-studded lineup, and the Tatis position change could be a strategic move to boost their offense. Musgrove's setback is concerning for the team's pitching depth, while the Brewers signing a former Padres prospect highlights the organization's ability to develop talent.

The details

In Saturday's 9-5 win over the Rockies, the Padres surprisingly moved Tatis from his usual shortstop position to second base, a role he had never played at the major league level. Stammen believes the change could help Tatis focus less on his hitting and tap into his natural talents. Meanwhile, Musgrove, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024, said his elbow 'just not cooperating' as he tries to make a full recovery. And a Padres free agent pitcher who was drafted in 2018 has signed with the Brewers after failing to stick around in San Diego for more than 12 games in a season.

  • On Saturday, the Padres moved Tatis to second base for the first time in his MLB career.
  • Musgrove suffered a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery this past spring.

The players

Fernando Tatis Jr.

A 27-year-old superstar shortstop for the San Diego Padres who was surprisingly moved to second base for a game against the Colorado Rockies.

Craig Stammen

The manager of the San Diego Padres who believes the position change for Tatis could unlock improved offensive production.

Joe Musgrove

A right-handed pitcher for the San Diego Padres who provided an ominous update on his recovery from 2024 Tommy John surgery, saying his elbow 'just not cooperating' as he tries to make a full comeback.

Milwaukee Brewers

The team that recently signed a former Padres free agent pitcher who was drafted by San Diego in 2018 but failed to stick around in the majors for more than 12 games in a season.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'It keeps his brain active, keeps him engaged and having fun and showing up to the ballpark with something new to achieve. ... Maybe him concentrating on playing second base unlocks him at the plate — stops thinking so much about it and just uses his natural talent to take over.'”

— Craig Stammen, Padres Manager

“'We've invested so much time on rest and recovery stuff. I don't want to waste the time that we've taken by pushing it back and then having to start this process all over again. I'm trying to get better as efficiently and quickly as I can. But it's just not cooperating as well as I want to.'”

— Joe Musgrove

What’s next

The judge in Musgrove's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him to continue his recovery on an accelerated timeline.

The takeaway

The Padres are getting creative with their lineup in an effort to maximize their star power, but Musgrove's setback is a concerning development that could impact the team's pitching depth. Meanwhile, the Brewers' signing of a former Padres prospect highlights San Diego's ability to develop talent, even if those players don't always stick around long-term.