ATLANTA _ Caution will reign with Fernando Tatis Jr.
The Padres on Tuesday decided to shut down their budding superstar shortstop for at least another eight days. The team placed the 20-year-old on the 10-day injured list. Reliever Phil Maton was recalled from Triple-A El Paso to fill Tatis' roster spot.
It is a temporary blow, as Tatis has contributed more than any other player to their struggling offense. But the Padres' decision makers have remained steadfast that the future will not be imperiled by anything they do in the present.
With Tatis out, the Padres decided to give rookie (and San Diego State alum) Ty France his first major league start in Tuesday's game. France will play third base, with Manny Machado shifting to shortstop and Greg Garcia _ who started Monday at shortstop _ starting at second base.
Tatis appeared to be walking without issue Monday night, and indications from those familiar with how he was responding after injuring his hamstring on Sunday were that he would be playing in the coming days. But the decision was made to give him more time to rest.
An MRI done Monday did not reveal a tear, but the Padres will take no chances with Tatis.
"We care a lot about him," Padres manager Andy Green said. "We think a lot of him. We love the way he's starting his big-league career. We're going to take care of him. We're going to put him in good position where he has the shot at health for a long period of time."
Tatis' .300/.360/.500 line makes him the team leader in all three categories among those with more than 20 plate appearances.
But as they have shown repeatedly with their starting pitching, the Padres will not let a 16-13 start to the season deter their focus from long-term success.
