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Just as the San Diego Padres were drawing closer to getting most of their key players back from injuries, their concern shifts to star right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. as they prepare to visit the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday afternoon.

Tatis, who is hitting .345 with a .419 on-base percentage to go with eight home runs, was hit by a pitch on the left forearm in the third inning of the Padres’ 9-4 victory over Pittsburgh on Friday.

Tatis later was diagnosed with a left forearm contusion, but the spot where he was hit immediately swelled.

An extended absence for Tatis would be unfortunate for the Padres, who recently saw the returns of Luis Arraez and Jason Heyward to their lineup as well as Brandon Lockridge, who was reinstated from the injured list on Friday. San Diego also is expecting Jackson Merrill to rejoin the team within the next week.

“I feel good,” Tatis said after the game. “Just a little bit sore. (I’m) gonna sleep on it, see how it feels (on Saturday), and we’ll go from there.”

San Diego has regained its rhythm offensively over its past three games, all victories. The Padres put together 14 hits on Friday despite recording only one home run, by Gavin Sheets.

It was enough to back up starter Dylan Cease, who failed to make it past the fifth inning for the fourth time this season.

San Diego right-hander Randy Vasquez (1-3, 4.28 ERA) will oppose Pirates lefty Bailey Falter (1-3, 5.93) to start Saturday’s game.

Vasquez did not make it past the fifth inning, either, in his most recent start Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays. He pitched 4 2/3 innings and allowed three runs on five hits — including a home run — to go with two walks and one strikeout in San Diego’s 4-2 loss.

Vasquez is 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA in two appearances (one start) against the Pirates.

Falter, who will try to help Pittsburgh avoid a three-game losing streak, is coming off one of his worst starts this season. He allowed a season-high seven runs (five earned) on a season-high eight hits with two walks over 4 1/3 innings on Sunday in a 9-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“He was inconsistent with his command,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “It looked like he was really inconsistent and didn’t really look that sharp.”
Falter has a 7.36 ERA in 3 2/3 career innings against the Padres, which includes three appearances and one start.

Padres manager Mike Shildt, who managed the St. Louis Cardinals from 2018-21, improved to 26-5 in his career at PNC Park with Friday’s win.

Oneil Cruz continues to be a bright spot for the Pirates on the basepaths. He stole two bases on Friday, giving him 34 consecutive successful steals.

The Padres optioned outfielder Tirso Ornelas to Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

The Pirates recalled infielder Liover Peguero from Triple-A Indianapolis and optioned right-hander Hunter Stratton there on Friday.

–Field Level Media