Triple-A pitcher rips Fernando Tatis Jr. after Padres star takes him deep: “Cheater hits a home run on a rehab assignment during a steroid suspension”

When Fernando Tatis Jr. smashed an NL-best 42 home runs as a 22-year-old during the 2021 season, the San Diego Padres knew that they had a generational talent on their hands.

However, after injuries kept the Dominican outfielder sidelined for most of the 2022 season, Tatis Jr. was found to be using performance-enhancing drugs. For the infraction, Tatis Jr. was suspended for 80 games.

Ahead of the 24-year old's much-anticipated return to the Padres, the team sent him to their Triple-AAA affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas. In a recent game against Sacramento River Cats pitcher Kade McClure, Tatis Jr. showed why he is a former home run champ.

Tatis Jr. absolutely demolished a 2-2 fastball by McClure, a San Francisco Giants prospect. McClure obviously did not feel that the field was level, and branded Fernando Tatis Jr. a cheater in a Twitter reply.

"**cheater hits a homerun on a rehab assignment during a steroid suspension**" - Kade McClure

Although Tatis Jr. is still very young, some think that the suspension has the potential to permanently mar his career. McClure sure seems to think that some form of drugs may still be at play.

Fernando Tatis Jr. vehemently denied that he was in fact using performance-enhancing drugs, and even appealed the MLB's harsh ruling.

According to the young stud, whose father notably retired as a member of the New York Mets in 2012, the positive results were a by-product of a medication he was taking. However, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred did not miss the opportunity to make an example out of Tatis Jr.

"Fernando Tatis Jr.’s swing: an absolute thing of beauty. Coming soon to a Major League Ballpark near you." - Sammy Levitt | Padres Radio Host

Tatis Jr's suspension is set to expire on April 16. He was also barred from representing his nation at the recent World Baseball Classic. Since the suspension was handed down by the MLB, it reserved the right to regulate rosters as the prime sponsor of the tournament.

Fernando Tatis Jr. better stay and keep far away from PEDs

While we have every reason to believe that the Padres' star is clean, another such revelation could prove too damaging for him to ever recover from. With a possible big year ahead for the San Diego Padres, Fernando Tatis Jr. has a responsibility to himself, the fans and his teammates to be the best, cleanest version of himself.