Padres rookie phenom Fernando Tatis Jr. likely done for the season with back injury

Tatis' impressive rookie campaign will be cut short

San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. is heading to the injured list with a back strain, and the rookie phenom is likely done for the season, San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee reports. Tatis was struggling with back spasms earlier this week, and it turns out that the injury is more bothersome than expected.

Tatis is batting .317/.379/.590 with 22 homers and 16 stolen bases through 84 games in his rookie season. Tatis leads the Padres in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging and WAR. At just 20 years old, Tatis has been incredibly fun to watch in his debut season, and has quickly become one of the most exciting players in the league as he shines at the plate, on the base path and in the field.

In April, Tatis suffered a hamstring injury that caused him to miss 34 games. With two stints on the IL this season, Tatis' candidacy for the NL Rookie of the Year Award may be dwindling. Earlier this week when Tatis blasted another lead off homer, he took over sole possession of the Padres' single-season leadoff home run record with his sixth of the year.

Second baseman Luis Urias is likely to take over at shortstop with Tatis out, with Ty France and Greg Garcia splitting time at second base. The Padres (56-64) have performed better than expected this season, but the young squad is still in the beginning stages of their rebuild. Entering Friday, the club is seven and a half games back of the second NL wild card spot.