Padres Shake Up Lineup, Tatis Starts at Second Base

All-Star outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. makes his first career start at second base as Padres manager Craig Stammen shuffles the lineup.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:52am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting using bold geometric shapes and vibrant colors to conceptually represent a baseball player transitioning to a new position on the field.A cubist interpretation of Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. shifting to a new position, capturing the dynamic energy and challenges of adapting to an unfamiliar role.San Diego Today

In a surprising move, the San Diego Padres have shifted star outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. to second base for the first time in his major league career. Padres manager Craig Stammen said the decision was made during spring training as insurance in case starting second baseman Jake Cronenworth got injured. While Tatis has little experience at the position, Stammen expressed confidence in his ability to adapt. The lineup shuffle also sees Cronenworth move to shortstop, with Nick Castellanos starting in right field and Miguel Andujar as the designated hitter.

Why it matters

Tatis is one of the most dynamic young players in baseball, so his position change is a significant development for the Padres. It could unlock new dimensions to his game, but also carries risks as he adjusts to an unfamiliar role. The lineup shuffle also reflects Padres manager Craig Stammen's willingness to experiment and give his players rest early in the long season.

The details

Tatis has only appeared at second base once before, playing the final innings of a game in 2023. Stammen said the idea of moving Tatis to second base was discussed during spring training in case of an injury to Cronenworth. However, Tatis had limited time to prepare for the position change due to his participation in the World Baseball Classic. Stammen expressed confidence in Tatis' ability to adapt, saying the position change could even help unlock his struggles at the plate.

  • Tatis last played second base in the 9th inning of a game against the Phillies in 2023.
  • The Padres discussed the possibility of Tatis playing second base during spring training 2026.

The players

Fernando Tatis Jr.

An all-star outfielder for the San Diego Padres who is making his first career start at second base.

Craig Stammen

The manager of the San Diego Padres who made the decision to shift Tatis to second base.

Jake Cronenworth

The Padres' regular starting second baseman who will move to shortstop for this game.

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What they’re saying

“He didn't do a ton in spring as he was at the WBC, but Fernando loves taking ground balls almost everyday. He did it all last season.”

— Craig Stammen, Padres Manager

“You know, maybe him concentrating on playing second base unlocks him at the plate and stops thinking so much about it. He uses his natural talent to take over... He's getting a little frustrated, but I think we can tell that he's getting a little frustrated that none of those hits are falling. And (We) keep patting him on the back and say, 'Hey, they're eventually going to fall'.”

— Craig Stammen, Padres Manager

What’s next

The Padres will continue to monitor Tatis' performance at second base and see if the position change helps unlock his offense.

The takeaway

Tatis' shift to second base is a bold move by the Padres, as they look to get their star player going at the plate while also providing insurance at a key position. The experiment carries risks, but could pay dividends if Tatis is able to adapt quickly and the change helps him rediscover his offensive prowess.