Fernando Tatis Jr.

Fernando Tatis Jr. is the glow-in-the-dark, neon-colored wild card sitting in every fantasy baseball draft of 2023. Tatis missed the entire 2022 season with injuries and a PED suspension in August. The injuries have been addressed: He surgically repaired his torn labrum shortly after his suspension for a nagging shoulder issue that plagued him, and he had surgery on his left wrist in October. The suspension will end on April 20, so fantasy managers don't have to take a long absence into account. It's just every other part of the picture that muddies the water. Tatis's raw skills are phenomenal; he hits the ball as hard as anyone in the game, runs extremely well, and gets on base. He will be surrounded by superstar talent in the San Diego lineup, and he will have SS and OF eligibility in 2023, but he probably won't be playing the demanding infield position. If someone could guarantee that 2021 Tatis is who we're getting, he'd be a Top 5 pick, but the variables are numerous, and the impact is unknown. Someone will spend a high-round draft pick on him, so you only have to ask yourself if it will be you.

Fernando Tatis’ shoulder surgery postponed

Fernando Tatis’ shoulder surgery has been postponed due to a non-COVID related illness.

Fantasy Impact

Tatis was confident that he would be ready to return when his suspension ends. Now that his surgery has been postponed, his recovery timeline will depend on when his surgery is rescheduled. Dynasty managers will want to keep an eye on his recovery timeline post surgery.