Seth Udinski, FISM News
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Fernando Tatis Jr. apologized Tuesday for his use of banned Performance Enhancing Drugs, which resulted in an 80-game suspension from Major League Baseball, and announced he will undergo shoulder surgery during the suspension.
The San Diego Padres star spoke to sportswriters on Tuesday to apologize for letting his fans and his teammates down. He used an illegal steroid, Clestobol, while in rehab from a shoulder injury that kept him on the bench all season. Tatis had previously alleged he used the drug to treat ringworm.
Fernando Tatis Jr.’s opening statement to the media: pic.twitter.com/g7jUh1LHGs
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He said,
I would like to start today just by saying how truly sorry I am,” said Tatis, speaking from the home dugout at Petco Park. “I am really sorry. I have let so many people down. I know I have a lot of love I have to gain back, and I have a lot of work to do. It’s going to be a very long process to gain everybody’s trust.
He continued,
At the end of the day, there’s no excuses. I need to do a way better job on what is going inside my body. There’s no excuses on these actions. … It was a stupid mistake. It was me being reckless.
Tatis also revealed he will undergo surgery for his shoulder injury while he serves his suspension. The length of the Padres’ potential postseason run will impact the length of Tati’s suspension, as any playoff games the team plays will count towards the 80-game total.
As of Wednesday morning, the Padres are clinging to the last wildcard spot in the National League. They have battled back and forth with the Philadelphia Phillies for the second NL spot, but Philly stayed in front on Tuesday night thanks to a walk-off single by youngster Bryson Stott to beat the Reds, 7-6.