Fernando Tatis Jr. hopes to stay warm when Padres take on Brewers

After a 4-for-5 performance, including a 400-foot home run during San Diego’s 7-6 win over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, it’s easy to forget that Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. has played with a right quad injury since April.

However, Tatis figures to remain in the lineup Friday night when San Diego and Milwaukee meet for the second game of a four-game series.

“I’m just not at my best,” Tatis said. “I’m not stealing bases and I’m not running the way I know I can run. I’m a little confused right now, but we’ll keep fighting to see how we can find a way to stay.” on the field.”

The only sign Thursday that Tatis was affected by the injury came when he lapped the third and scored on Jurickson Profar’s double in the seventh inning. Tatis’ limping became a little more apparent, but he was able to finish the match.

“It’s very deep in my quad, right next to the bone,” Tatis said. “The medical staff and myself have been trying to figure out what it is. We’re doing things to help it, but (I’m) still not fully back.”

Despite the injury, Tatis is putting up solid numbers. He enters the Friday night game batting .280 with 14 home runs and 36 RBIs. Earlier this year, he enjoyed a career-high, 17-game hitting streak.

While Tatis hopes for better health, teammate Dylan Cease (6-6, 3.95 ERA) is aiming for better results. The right-hander was hit hard on Sunday during an 11-6 road loss to the New York Mets. He allowed seven hits and seven runs in 3 2/3 innings with three walks and five strikeouts.

The Strike is 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA in two career starts against the Brewers. He won in Milwaukee on April 16 after pitching six innings, yielding one run on two hits and five walks with seven strikeouts.

The Brewers will counter with Colin Rea (6-2, 3.29 ERA), who is enjoying the best year of his injury-filled Major League career that started with the Padres in 2015.

In his last start, Rea earned a win in the Brewers’ 5-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. He allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk, striking out six, in six innings. He pitched to a no-decision in his only career appearance against San Diego, allowing just two hits and a run in 5 2/3 innings on April 13, 2023.

Milwaukee is hoping for some length from Rea after getting just 4 2/3 innings from Bryse Wilson on Thursday night. The Brewers’ bullpen, which has been under pressure of late, will get some help with the likely activation of veteran right-hander Jakob Junis (shoulder impingement) from the injured list before Friday’s game.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said of Junis, who has played multiple roles during his career: “He’ll start in the pen. If we started him up front, it would be for a couple of innings. If he comes out his first couple trips feel great, we might be able to stretch it a little.

“Obviously we need innings.”

–Field-level media