\u2014 San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The work included taking throws in from right and left field and double-play work with Cronenworth. The two hadn\u2019t specifically worked on double plays before Saturday\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of preparation,\u201d Tatis said after coming off the field after early work. \u201cSomething I\u2019ve been doing my entire life. So not something that is off the chart, but I\u2019m just looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n That muscle memory \u2014 if only reversed \u2014 and Tatis\u2019 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\u2019 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve been planning this for a little while,\u201d Padres manager Craig Stammen said. \u201cWe\u2019ve 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Tatis might need that pick-me-up because he\u2019s .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.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe 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,\u201d Stammen said. \u201cAgain, last night, he had two more balls hit over 100 \u2026 and had nothing to show for it. \u2026 I think we can tell that he\u2019s getting a little frustrated that none of those hits are falling. And keep patting him on the back and say, \u2018Hey, they\u2019re eventually going to fall,\u2019 and they will.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just early in the season, but excited to have a guy like him playing second base tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n With Tatis at second base, Nick Castellanos will get his first start in right field. Castellanos will also hit fifth in Saturday\u2019s lineup, his highest spot yet in the order with the Padres.<\/p>\n Left fielder Ram\u00f3n Laureano will lead off, followed by Tatis, center fielder Jackson Merrill and third baseman Manny Machado.<\/p>\n First baseman Gavin Sheets will hit sixth, followed by designated hitter Miguel Andujar, catcher Freddy Fermin and Cronenworth in the nine-hole.<\/p>\n Saturday\u2019s lineup is the 15th different lineup in 15 games this year for the Padres.<\/p>\n Here is how the Rockies (6-8) will line up for Game 3:<\/p>\n Here’s how we’re lining up on this Saturday evening \u2b07\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/737aOpXoq2<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/feltner-pads.jpg\")
<\/p>\n