Tatis has periodically taken ground balls at second and is training with infield coaches; Xander Bogaerts is slated to stay the long-term shortstop, with Jake Cronenworth serving as a versatile option.

The team will monitor how often Tatis plays second going forward, calling Saturday his first audition at the position and treating the move as an ongoing development this season.

The coverage includes a dramatic, informal headline about Muncy’s walk-off, signaling a broader roundup of baseball results in the piece.

Tatis has struggled offensively to start the season, posting a .519 OPS through 14 games, though metrics suggest bad luck rather than a decline in talent.

The report notes this is a developing story and will be updated with more information and analysis as it unfolds.

The Padres-Rockies game at Petco Park was slated to begin with the first pitch at 8:40 p.m. Eastern time.

Tatis, 27, is a multi-time Gold Glove winner with prior infield experience, including minor-league starts at second and a late-game appearance there in 2023.

With Manny Machado out for a game and Bogaerts resting, Jake Cronenworth moved to shortstop and Nick Castellanos started in right field.

Manager Craig Stammen said the decision to move Tatis to second was planned to provide rest for other stars while giving Tatis a chance at a new defensive role, a move described as the most exciting option at second base.

The Padres will have Fernando Tatis Jr. make his first-ever start at second base on Saturday as part of a planned rest rotation for veterans, while he remains the primary right fielder.

Some analysts, including Stammen, believe shifting Tatis to second could boost his offense by reducing batting anxiety and unlocking quicker decision-making at the plate.

Tatis has only one prior inning at second base, recorded in September 2023 against the Phillies.