Fernando Tatís Jr. couldn't believe he missed a pitch from Miguel Rojas — a position player — during the San Diego Padres' 13-1 blowout loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, July 10, 2026.
Tatís Jr. struck out swinging against Rojas, a shortstop who rarely pitches, in the eighth inning at Petco Park. The moment left the Padres star shaking his head.
What happened on the Miguel Rojas pitch?
With the Padres trailing big, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts turned to Rojas to save his bullpen. Rojas, 37, tossed a 64-mph changeup that froze Tatís Jr. for a called strike, then got him swinging at a 66-mph offering.
Tatís Jr. stepped back, laughed and mouthed something toward the dugout. He later told reporters he was embarrassed. “I can’t believe I missed that,” he said. “That’s a pitch I should hit.”
Rojas had not pitched in a regular-season game since 2021. He threw just two innings all year before Thursday.
Why it matters for Fernando Tatís Jr.
The strikeout capped a rough night for Tatís Jr. He went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts as the Padres fell to 48-42, now 6.5 games back of the Dodgers in the NL West.
Tatís Jr. is hitting .279 with 22 home runs and 58 RBIs this season. But moments like this one stick. Getting fooled by a position player can rattle even the best hitters.
“It’s baseball,” Tatís Jr. said. “You have to laugh or you’ll cry.”
What comes next for the Padres and Tatís Jr.?
San Diego opens a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, July 11. Tatís Jr. will be back in right field, likely batting second.
The Padres need a bounce-back. They've lost four of their last six and their playoff hopes are slipping. Tatís Jr. knows he has to lead the way.
“We have to turn the page,” he said. “Tomorrow is a new day.”
For now, the image of Tatís Jr. flailing at a 66-mph changeup from a shortstop will loop on social media. But he's been through worse. He'll get his shot at redemption soon.