Fernando Tatís Jr. draws first off day since May 3

Fernando Tatís Jr. is getting his first off day since May 3. He remains stuck on two homers this year but is having his best offensive month so far in June.

What happened?

The 27-year-old outfielder still has just one home run on the season while hitting .279 with 24 runs scored and 15 steals. He got on four times against the Reds on Tuesday, starting with a base hit and a run scored in the third inning. And he added a double in the fifth, then singled and was caught stealing in the seventh.

Why it matters for Fernando Tatís Jr.

Fernando Tatís Jr.'s 18 steals put him on pace for a new career high as he’s running more than ever in 2026. His 40-steal upside with second base eligibility is a decent floor even if the power never fully arrives this summer. But he’s pulling the ball in the air less than ever this season, with a strangely low launch angle.

What comes next?

The Padres will face the Nationals, with Sung-Mun Song drawing a start at second base and batting eighth. Fernando Tatís Jr. will move out to right field to cover for the resting player. He entered the day having hit .397 over his past 67 plate appearances, though it came with a .453 BABIP. Fantasy managers will still take it, given his recent form. The long ball was only his second of the year, but his bat has come alive lately. As of June 21, Fernando Tatís Jr. has a .279 batting average and 15 steals across 280 plate appearances. And his speed could be a major factor in the Padres' upcoming games. So the Padres will be looking to capitalize on his recent form.