Gaslamp Ball · Mar 1, 2025
Fernando Tatis Jr. returns, Ethan Salas shines
The first 2025 Cactus League game under the lights for the San Diego Padres also served as the spring debut for superstar right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. He was joined in the lineup by starters Luis Arraez, Jackson Merrill and Xander Bogaerts among others. Manny Machado was supposed to play, but was scratched prior to the start of the game due to a sore back.
Tatis Jr. missed the start of Spring Training with the flu, but told reporters at the beginning of camp that he was healed from the stress fracture in his quad that limited him in 2024. The thought of a fully healthy Tatis Jr. created excitement throughout the fan base heading into the season.