The baseball world was rocked Friday afternoon, when it was learned that one of the game's brightest young stars, Fernando Tatis Jr., had tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance and was hit by Major League Baseball with an 80-game suspension.
Tatis, the 23-year-old superstar shortstop who had already emerged as one of the faces of the sport, was only days away from coming back from the wrist injury that had kept him out all season. His San Diego Padres, on the heels of a blockbuster trade for Juan Soto, were eagerly awaiting his return while in pursuit of a title.