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Padres Make Decision on Fernando Tatis Jr. Bobblehead Giveaway

The recent suspension of star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. rocked the baseball world.

It also might have ruined a dream season for the Padres, who were expecting Tatis to return to the lineup soon after missing the entire season to date because of a wrist injury.

San Diego hoped a healthy Tatis could further bolster a lineup that recently was infused by the additions of superstar outfielder Juan Soto and slugging first baseman Josh Bell via trade from Washington.

But with the news that Tatis won’t be joining the Padres this season after all, those plans have hit a snag. Similarly, the team’s promotions department faced a conundrum on what to do about a planned Tatis bobblehead giveaway on Sept. 7.

Now, the club has decided to pivot away from the Tatis giveaway and instead feature a Soto promotion on that date, the team announced.

Presumably, the Tatis bobbleheads will be put into storage until next season. In their place, the first 35,000 fans at San Diego’s game against the Diamondbacks will receive a No. 22 “City Connect” T-shirt jersey.

It’s a nice recovery for the Padres amid a major public relations ordeal. Now, if they could only figure out how to reel in the first-place Dodgers ...

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