Fernando Tatis Jr. is an infielder again.
At least for tonight
With Xander Bogaerts getting the day off, Jake Cronenworth will start at shortstop for the first time this season and Tatis will move from right field to second base, his first start in the infield since playing 102 games at shortstop in 2021.
Saturday’s first pitch is at 5:40 p.m.
Saturday starters. pic.twitter.com/vHjeKbVfkl
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 11, 2026
Tatis played one game at second base in 2023. He started 10 games at second base in the minors, although he routinely takes grounders on the infield and had been taking grounders at second base in early work this season.
Tatis arrived at the clubhouse Saturday just as it was about to close to media, politely excused himself from the reporters gathered around his locker and headed directly to the infield to begin a brush-up with infield coach Ryan Goins.
The work included taking throws in from right and left field and double-play work with Cronenworth. The two hadn’t specifically worked on double plays before Saturday’s lineup came out, but Cronenworth noted that he turned double plays with Tatis the first two years of his career, when Tatis was a shortstop and Cronenworth was at second base.
“A lot of preparation,” Tatis said after coming off the field after early work. “Something I’ve been doing my entire life. So not something that is off the chart, but I’m just looking forward to it.”
That muscle memory — if only reversed — and Tatis’ natural athletic ability are what the Padres are leaning on in moving their right fielder into the infield to get Bogaerts off his feet, at least while Sung-Mun Song (oblique) continues his rehab at Triple-A El Paso. Cronenworth was Bogaerts’ regular backup at shortstop last year, and the Padres did not want to change that dynamic for what could be a short-term option until Song is activated.
“We’ve been planning this for a little while,” Padres manager Craig Stammen said. “We’ve given him a heads up, trying to figure out a way to get Jake and Xander some days off coming up, and felt like Tatis was the best option at second base and the most fun and exciting option at second base. So, you know, get that kid smiling a little bit might help too.”
Tatis might need that pick-me-up because he’s .189/.274/245 despite leading the majors with a 70% hard-hit rate and ranking in the 93rd percentile with a 94.1 mph average exit velocity.
“Maybe him concentrating on playing second base unlocks him at the plate and (he) stops thinking so much about it, and just uses his natural talent to take over,” Stammen said. “Again, last night, he had two more balls hit over 100 … and had nothing to show for it. … I think we can tell that he’s getting a little frustrated that none of those hits are falling. And keep patting him on the back and say, ‘Hey, they’re eventually going to fall,’ and they will.
“It’s just early in the season, but excited to have a guy like him playing second base tonight.”
With Tatis at second base, Nick Castellanos will get his first start in right field. Castellanos will also hit fifth in Saturday’s lineup, his highest spot yet in the order with the Padres.
Left fielder Ramón Laureano will lead off, followed by Tatis, center fielder Jackson Merrill and third baseman Manny Machado.
First baseman Gavin Sheets will hit sixth, followed by designated hitter Miguel Andujar, catcher Freddy Fermin and Cronenworth in the nine-hole.
Saturday’s lineup is the 15th different lineup in 15 games this year for the Padres.
Here is how the Rockies (6-8) will line up for Game 3:
Here’s how we’re lining up on this Saturday evening ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/737aOpXoq2
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 11, 2026
Saturday’s pitching matchup
Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (1-0, 4.32 ERA)
The 29-year-old threw three shutout innings in his first start at Toronto and then allowed four runs in 5 ⅓ innings in a win on Monday against the Astros. Feltner has five strikeouts against three walks so far. He has a 3.80 ERA in five career starts against the Padres, the last in 2024 (4 IP, 4 ER).
Here is how Feltner has fared against current Padres:
Padres RHP Germán Márquez (1-1, 4.50 ERA)
The former Rockies ace threw five shutout innings in a win in Pittsburgh on Monday to rebound from a poor first start with the Padres (3 IP, 4 ER). Márquez has five strikeouts against one walk through eight innings. He is facing his former employer after pitching 14 years in the organization. Márquez was an All-Star with the Rockies in 2021.
Here is how Márquez has fared against current Rockies:
OF Jake McCarthy (2-for-6, HR, 3 RBIs)
OF Mickey Moniak (0-for-2, BB, 2 Ks)
INF Willi Castro (0-for-1, BB, K)