Apr 5, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) grimaces in pain as he lays on the ground after a swing during the third inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego Padres superstar shortstop Fernando Tatís Jr. crumpled to the ground in pain after a swing in the third inning of Monday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants.

Tatís struck out swinging on a breaking ball from Anthony DeSclafani, and immediately went down in serious pain, holding his left arm.

Tatís, 22, is already in the conversation for baseball’s best player not named Mike Trout, and he’s a highly *entertaining* player. All of this is why he’s on the cover of the video game MLB The Show this season.

Seeing Tatís fall to the ground in pain like that is a horrible, very concerning sight. And it comes less than two months after he agreed to a 14-year, $340 million deal with the Padres.

So, hopefully it’s not serious. Obviously for his own well-being first and foremost, but the Padres — who are title contenders this season — and the game of baseball need him healthy. He’s an incredible talent, a joy to watch, and an extremely marketable player who’s going to inspire a lot of young ballplayers out there with how he plays the game.

UPDATE: The Padres announced (while the game is still going on) that Tatís left the game “with a left shoulder subluxation” (basically a slight dislocation) and he’ll be re-evaluated on Tuesday.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

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