Fernando Tatis Jr. returns for the Padres against the Tigers

The San Diego Padres are currently battling the Arizona Diamondbacks for the top wild card spot in the National League, and they are only five games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in Major League Baseball.

With 23 games left in the regular season, the Padres need all the help they can get if they want to continue their success in the playoffs.

Fortunately, they just got one of their best players back.

According to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Padres' star outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. will make his comeback from injury tonight against the Detroit Tigers.

This news comes shortly after Padres manager Mike Shildt told reporters that Tatis would not require any rehab work after being released from the injured list.

“He hits the back fields,” Shildt said. “It's set up more like a simulated game. We have a defense and a pitcher. It's like a game, but in a controlled environment. He gets to get a lot of at-bats and see a lot of pitches from right-handed and left-handed hitters … fastballs.”

Tatis spent the last 72 days on the injured list with a stress reaction in his right thigh. Before that, he actually played with the injury, which was believed to be a quadriceps strain.

Nevertheless, Tatis led San Diego with 14 home runs and finished 13th in the National League with an OPS of .821 before landing on the IL.

Even without Tatis, the Padres were extremely successful thanks to the reinforcements of several players. Particularly noteworthy is designated hitter Manny Machado, who has had an OPS of .889 and 16 home runs since Tatis' absence.

In addition, rookie centerfielder Jackson Merrill had a stellar year with 21 home runs and an OPS of .892. Tatis' replacement, David Peralta, has maintained a .288 batting average and an OPS of .810 in his absence.

Still, the Padres, including infielder Jake Cronenworth, are happy about Tatis' return.

“What he does is unlike anything else,” Cronenworth said. “It will be a huge boost for us when he comes back.”

Even though he was unable to return, Tatis is proud of the Padres' performance during his absence.

“It was incredible. I said it the day everyone found out I was going on the injured list, that it's a great team,” Tatis said. “No one player can carry a team. It's a really good team. I'm happy with what we accomplished together.”

“The guys picked every single player. It's not just one player, it's everyone – the whole lineup, the whole rotation. The bullpen is outstanding. Those guys have been outstanding. I'm really happy with my team. We have a great group of guys here.”

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