Entertainment Sports Pitcher Calls Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. a 'Cheater' After Suspended MLB Star Hits Homer Off Him Tatis Jr. tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance last year By Jason Hahn Jason Hahn Jason Hahn is a former Human Interest and Sports Reporter for PEOPLE. He started at PEOPLE's Los Angeles Bureau as a writer and reporter in 2017 and interviewed the likes of Kobe Bryant, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Brady. He has a B.A. in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. He previously worked for Complex Magazine in New York City. People Editorial Guidelines Published on April 6, 2023 04:14PM EDT Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a home run during a minor league rehab game this week — but one person wasn't impressed. Tatis is playing with the Triple-A El Paso for two weeks before rejoining the Padres, due to his suspension last season for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug, per ESPN. During his second game with the minor league team on Wednesday night, Tatis hit a home run against Kade McClure, who plays for the Giants-affiliated Sacramento River Cats. After the game, McClure responded to a tweet from San Diego news anchor Darney Tripp, who said the pitcher "will be telling people for years about the time he gave up an absolute nuke to Fernando Tatis Jr." Bryan Cranston Hyped For New MLB Season after Major Rule Changes: 'Now It's Even Better' Christian Petersen/Getty McClure quoted Tripp's tweet while taking a jab at 24-year-old Tatis and his suspension. "Cheater hits a home run on a rehab assignment during a steroid suspension," the 27-year-old wrote to Tripp. McClure's tweet received a mixed response from fans, with many criticizing the pitch that led to Tatis' home run and some defending McClure. MLB Legend Randy Johnson Is Now Living a Second Career as NFL and Wildlife Photographer El Paso eventually beat Sacramento 8-5. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Tatis has expected to catch criticism with his MLB return on the horizon. He was suspended for 80 games in August after testing positive. "The good part of being in this game is you have memories," Tatis told the outlet in February. "I feel like I've seen everything this game can bring you, what the fans can bring you." RELATED VIDEO: Francisco Lindor's Daughter, 21 Months, Interrupts MLB Conference to Ask for the Manager: Watch He added: "And I'm definitely looking forward to that challenge. It's gonna be fun. It's gonna be one of the most emotional years I feel like in my career, and looking to embrace it, and I'm looking to what is going to come." According to the outlet, Tatis will likely return to the major leagues on April 20.