San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. continued to face consequences of his 80-game suspension for performance enhancing drugs, as Adidas announced Friday it was ending its partnership with him.
“We believe that sport should be fair,” an Adidas spokesperson said in a statement to ESPN Friday night. “We have a clear policy on doping and can confirm that our partnership with Fernando Tatis Jr. will not continue.”
Tatis was suspended Aug. 12 for testing positive for the banned substance Clostebol. Tatis, who initially said he inadvertently took the substance in ringworm medication, has expressed remorse for his situation.
“I’m truly sorry. I’m really sorry,” the shortstop said Tuesday. “I have let so many people down. I have lost so much love from people. I have failed.
“I failed the front office, the San Diego Padres, (owner) Peter Seidler, (general manager) A.J. Preller. I have failed the fans of this city, I have failed my country, I have failed my family, parents. I’m really sorry for my mistakes. I have seen how my dreams have turned into my worst nightmares. … There is no one else to blame but myself.”
The suspension means Tatis will miss the entirety of the 2022 season. He had yet to play this year due to a left wrist injury allegedly suffered in a motorcycle accident in December.
While he’s out, Tatis has agreed to undergo surgery on his left shoulder. Part of the reason that he and the team were at odds was due to him declining to go under the knife following last season.
–Field Level Media