Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. Suspended 80 Games for Violating MLB's PED Policy

Six days after going out on a rehab assignment in his next step to return from a fractured wrist, San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr.'s return is going to be delayed until the 2023 season.

Major League Baseball announced Friday that Tatis has received an 80-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy after testing positive for Clostebol.

In a statement issued by the MLB Players Association, Tatis noted he "inadvertently took a medication to treat ringworm" that contained the banned substance:

Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Tatis will also be ineligible to play for the Dominican Republic in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

The former All-Star shortstop appeared to be on the brink of making his 2022 debut. He appeared in four games with Double-A San Antonio on a rehab assignment, collecting two hits Aug. 9.

It's unclear when Tatis suffered the wrist injury. Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported in December that the 23-year-old suffered "minor scrapes" in an accident in the Dominican Republic.

Dominican reporter Baudilio Jiménez (h/t Dayn Perry of CBS Sports) noted Tatis was driving a motorcycle at the time of the accident and received treatment at a medical facility for minor injuries.

Perry noted Tatis was believed to have resumed baseball activities at the time. The Padres announced March 16 he had surgery with a three-month recovery timetable.

Tatis will have to sit out the final 48 games of the 2022 regular season and first 32 games next season under the suspension. His last appearance in an MLB game was on Oct. 3, 2021, against the San Francisco Giants.

The Padres did add to their lineup before the trade deadline by acquiring Juan Soto and Josh Bell from the Washington Nationals on Aug. 2.

San Diego (63-51) currently leads the Milwaukee Brewers (60-50) by one game for the final wild card in the National League.