Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. Says He Expects to Return in September amid Injury Rehab

Fernando Tatis Jr. said he could be back on the field next month amid a stress reaction in his thigh bone that has left him out since June.

The San Diego Padres star said he expects to return to action in September after taking batting practice on Friday, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).

"It felt really good just being outside with the boys, ramping up," Tatis said. "Every day a step closer."

Tatis said he doesn't have an exact timeline for a return, but he will "definitely" be back on the field in September.

"I really don't have specific dates," Tatis said. "I feel that's more a conversation between the training staff, the manager and myself and A.J. [Preller, the general manager]. But I'm definitely playing baseball the next month. That's what it looks like."

Before the injury, Tatis had 14 homers, 36 RBI and a .279 batting average in 80 games.

When he was placed on the injured list, Tatis said he had been dealing with the injury throughout the season and was recommended to take some time off.

"It can get worse, and we don't want that," Tatis said in June. "I was playing through it, and I probably could have kept going, but the doctors recommended to heal it now so that way it doesn't get worse. It's just better that way."

Tatis' return could come at the perfect time for San Diego. The Padres are 22-8 since the All-Star break and are just 4.5 games back from the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the NL West and currently three games ahead in the wild-card race.

If Tatis is back before the start of the postseason, he could help lead San Diego to a deep run.