SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Fernando Tatis Jr. logged two more at-bats on Friday afternoon, played four innings in right field in a third straight day of Cactus League action and then jogged, with his gear in hand, to the center field clubhouse at Salt River Fields.

He had a flight to catch to join to the Dominican Republic to get ready for the World Baseball Classic.

“I feel great,” said Tatis, who is 3-for-12 with three walks after an 0-for-2 in Friday’s 3-2 loss to the Rockies at Salt River Fields. “I’m in a great spot. Feeling my swing is really in play, body-wise I feel awesome and I’m ready to go.”

The Dominican Republic team will play its first pool games in Miami, Fla., but their ramp-up will include two exhibition games next week against the Detroit Tigers at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal.

Tatis has not played in front of fans in his home country since playing for dad Fernando Tatis — the hitting coach on the Dominican team — for Estrellas in 2023. Tatis was serving his PED suspension during the last World Baseball Classic and was ineligible for the tournament.

“Really looking forward to it,” Tatis said of the exhibitions in the Dominican Republic. “Especially with the type of player that’s going to be on the field. It’s going to be different. Always happy to play in front of my country and glad I have the opportunity.”

Among the superstars he’ll be suiting up with are current teammate Manny Machado, former teammate Juan Soto and boyhood friend Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The exhibitions will be played Tuesday and Wednesday in the Dominican Republic, with pool play beginning Friday in Miami against Nicaragua.

“It’s going to be a great baseball game played out there,” Tatis said. “I’m looking forward to the competition, whoever it is. I know they are going to bring the best out of us and us the best of them. Whoever is the best is going to win.”

Weight lifted

A weight lifted off Sung-Mun Song’s shoulders when a line drive found grass on Thursday. Another one did on Friday.

Perhaps the 29-year-old Korean import is beginning to get comfortable with his new team.

“I got my first hit yesterday and then, like, my pressure is kind of gone,” Song said through interpreter Jun Yi. “And I’m getting along with my teammates good, so it’s been a good two days.”

He added: “Even in KBO, I was always nervous until the first hit. But since I got a hit yesterday and it was a good pitcher, I feel confident.”

Song’s hit on Thursday was off Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft. Friday’s came off a 90 mph cutter from Rockies right-hander Juan Mejia.

Song has three starts so far this spring, but with Tatis, Machado and Xander Bogaerts departing for the World Baseball Classic, his action is about to pick up.

Song has only worked at second and third base for the Padres, but shortstop and outfield work appear to be imminent. He has only played shortstop in middle school and only shagged balls in the outfield, but he’s eager to help wherever needed.

“It’s going to be different, like playing the outfield or shortstop,” Song said, “but if the team needs me to play, then I have to prepare for it.”

Flow chart

Manager Craig Stammen is missing two games — Friday and Saturday — to attend his sister’s wedding. Pitching coach Ruben Niebla added associate manager to his duties after becoming a finalist for the managerial opening that went to Stammen, but bench coach Randy Knorr will be serving as the acting manager during Stammen’s absence this weekend and in any instance in which he’s ejected during the season.

This is to make sure Niebla’s duties as the pitching coach aren’t interrupted.

“If I get ejected and then Randy gets ejected, we still need a pitching coach,” said Stammen, who will return in time to manage Sunday’s game against the Giants in Scottsdale. “We don’t need to have (bullpen coach Ben) Fritz running in from the bullpen. So Ruben’s kind of our lone survivor, last survivor. We’ve got to keep him alive.”

Adam goes live

Reliever Jason Adam threw about 20 pitches — against Will Wagner and Nick Solak — on a back field in Peoria in his second live bullpen this spring. He sat 91-93 mph with his fastball and did not have to field his position, which is precisely what the doctor ordered in a slow but intentful push to return from his quad injury by opening day.

“They know you can’t really stop that initial first reaction,” said Adam, noting that that was the precise movement that led to his injury last year. “So they’re fine with that, but just don’t pursue anything yet.”

Adam is going through the paces during pitcher’s fielding practice, but without much intensity. That’s a hurdle he will need to clear before moving into Cactus League games.

Owner correction

The Athletic on Friday corrected its report that Vuori CEO Joe Kudla and NFL Hall of Famer Drew Brees are leading a group that submitted a formal bid to buy the Padres.

That report was cited in the Union-Tribune’s story on the bidding process.

The Athletic cited sources saying Kudla and Brees are considering partnering with one of the five groups that did submit a bid.

Notable

RHP Walker Buehler and LHP Adrián Morejón will both pitch against the KBO team in a back-field exhibition on Saturday at the Peoria Sports Complex. LHP JP Sears is starting the 1:10 p.m. game against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Stadium.
Minor league C Brendan Durfee was added to big-league camp. Durfee, 24, was a 14th-round pick out of UC Santa Barbara in 2024. He spent last year at high Single-A Fort Wayne (6 HRs, .639 OPS, 90 games).

Staff writer Kevin Acee contributed to this report.