Pedro Martinez Partially Blames Padres for Tatis Jr.’s Suspension
MLB Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez believes the Padres are part of the blame for Fernando Tatis Jr. serving an 80-game suspension without pay for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
During a discussion on TBS’s Leadoff show, the former Red Sox pitcher spoke in defense of the 23-year-old and said the team personnel should know exactly what their star shortstop is “putting on his body” at all times.
“Since [Tatis Jr.] got hurt, San Diego has been on top of him,” Martinez said. “And this is where I have to give him a pass because San Diego should have known what this kid is putting on his body. … Whether it was ringworm, or whether it was the flu… He’s too valuable to the organization. The Padres need to know exactly what he puts on 24/7.”
Tatus tested positive for Clostebol, which is on the league’s banned substances list. Per ESPN Stats and Info, Tatis became the third player in the expansion era (since 1961) to finish in the top three for MVP voting and miss the entire following season. He joined Moises Alou, who missed ‘99 season due to a torn ACL and Sandy Koufax, who retired after the ‘66 season.
Before his suspension, the 2021 All-Star was preparing to return to San Diego’s lineup after spending a year rehabbing from a fractured left wrist that he suffered in an offseason motorcycle accident.
He had begun a minor league stint with Double-A San Antonio. Since earning the suspension, Tatis apologized for his action in a statement, saying he had “no excuse for his error” and that he would “never do anything to cheat or disrespect” the game he loves.
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