Fernando Tatis Jr. never got the chance to electrify the basepaths Friday night—and it wasn’t by choice. The Padres’ superstar, known for his explosive speed and flair, was forced to exit the game early after taking a Mitch Keller fastball squarely on his left arm. In a split second, what should’ve been another thrilling night of Tatis’ magic turned into a cause for concern, as fans held their breath wondering just how serious the injury might be.
In the third inning of Friday’s matchup against the Pirates, Tatis stepped into the box and took a 93-mile-per-hour fastball straight to the forearm. The pitch from Pirates starter Mitch Keller clipped Tatis flush on his left arm, and the impact was immediate. Cameras caught a nasty welt swelling beneath his elbow as he walked off the field, grimacing.
Moments later, the Padres’ brightest star was out of the game, and the energy at Petco Park shifted with him.
Now, the Padres have yet to release an official update on Tatis Jr.’s condition, likely waiting on imaging results to assess any potential structural damage. But whatever the report says, let’s be honest for a sec—that probably hurt like hell. The welt alone was enough to make fans wince, and the way Tatis immediately clutched his arm said it all.
The welt shown on our @AppleTV broadcast on Fernando Tatis Jr’s arm after being hit by the pitch. pic.twitter.com/TAqIPAtR1R
— Tricia Whitaker (@TriciaWhitaker) May 3, 2025
Through 29 games, the 26-year-old phenom is putting up MVP-caliber numbers, slashing an eye-popping .345/.409/.602 with eight home runs and seven stolen bases. He’s been one of the most dynamic forces in baseball this season, and many have already pegged him as the NL MVP frontrunner.
And so, for the Padres, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A fractured forearm would be a devastating blow to a team that relies so heavily on his presence. He’s not just their sparkplug—he’s the offense’s engine, with an irreplaceable bat.
While the team awaits the final call on Tatis, fans are in no mood to let go of Keller unhurt. They are blaming the Pirates’ starter for derailing what had been a stellar night—and season—for Tatis Jr. While there’s no indication the pitch was intentional, emotions ran high on social media, with many fans expressing frustration and anger over the incident.
Fans are left unimpressed with Keller
Whether it was a case of poor command or just bad luck, the result was the same: A superstar sidelined, and a fanbase holding its breath.
Benches should’ve cleared
— Ben Reidy (@BenReidy_) May 3, 2025
Ahh, that’s brutal. Well, in baseball, not all bench-clearing incidents require a fight—sometimes, one pitch is enough. When a batter takes a fastball off the body, especially a high-profile player like Fernando Tatis Jr., tensions can erupt. Even if there’s no obvious intent, players often perceive a hit-by-pitch as a sign of disrespect or recklessness. In these moments, benches and bullpens go empty less out of a desire to brawl, and more out of instinct—to back their teammate and send a message. But nothing as such happened in this case.
Wait… There were others, too… Stay tuned here to read about what more fans have said…
The post Padres Fans Explode at Pirates Pitcher After Scary Fernando Tatis Jr. HBP Leaves Gnarly Welt: “Benches Should’ve Cleared” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
