Padres Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Changing Positions For 2023 Season

The outfield's going to look a little different for the San Diego Padres this season.

Padres manager Bob Melvin said that Juan Soto will play left field this season.

Soto had previously expressed his willingness to move to the other side of the outfield, as long as he can stick in one spot on a game-to-game basis.

The move seemingly clears a path for Fernando Tatis Jr. to take over as the Padres' starting right fielder once he returns from his suspension on April 20. 

Xander Bogaerts is the new everyday shortstop for the Padres.

Soto has played right field exclusively the last two seasons, however, he was a left fielder for the Washington Nationals earlier in his career, so he has experience there.

Tatis Jr. also played 20 games in right field during the 2021 season.

Since coming over from the Nationals to the Padres last season, the twenty-four-year-old Soto holds a disappointing .236/.388/.390 triple-slash line, with six home runs, 16 RBIs and 31 runs scored over 52 games. He'll be just fine.

The twenty-four-year Tatis Jr. last played in the 2021 season, posting a .282/.364/.611 triple-slash line, with 42 home runs, 97 RBIs, 25 stolen bases and 99 runs scored over 130 games.

The Padres will be fun to watch this year.

Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports