Suspended Tatis starting minor-league rehab stint Tuesday

Fernando Tatis Jr. is moving closer to his big-league return.

The San Diego Padres superstar, who's still serving an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drug use, will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas on Tuesday, according to Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Tatis' rehab stint is his final step to prepare for his return to the team following the suspension. He's eligible to rejoin the Padres on April 20 when they visit the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The 24-year-old was on an injury rehab assignment last August when Major League Baseball suspended him for the positive drug test. As a result of both the suspension and an offseason wrist injury sustained in a motorcycle accident, Tatis missed the entire 2022 season. The Padres' playoff run last October counted toward his ban and shaved 12 regular-season games off the suspension.

Tatis, who underwent shoulder and wrist surgeries over the winter, was allowed to play in spring training games. He hit .273/.340/.432 with two homers and seven RBIs across 16 Cactus League contests. Since the regular season began, the 2021 NL home run champion has remained at the Padres' Arizona complex to take part in extended spring training.

Manager Bob Melvin said Monday that Tatis should be able to play consecutive games with El Paso after doing so without issue in the spring, according to FriarWire.

A natural shortstop, Tatis is shifting to the outfield this season after the Padres signed star free agent Xander Bogaerts during the winter.