A’s takeaways: Will Mike Fiers be on track to start the season? Plus, Fernando Tatís puts on a show at Hohokam

MESA, Ariz. — The Fernando Tatís Jr. experience descended on Hohokam Stadium on Friday. Batting leadoff, the young San Diego Padres phenom made a statement.

Running up a 3-2 count against Sergio Romo in the first inning, Tatís launched a rocket deep to left field. It was the 23-year-old’s first at bat back from the flu. It was the third run Romo has allowed in two innings this spring.

“He looks like he’s playing in the park,” Melvin said of Tatís, one of the faces of the baseball. “He’s always got a smile on his face, laughing and enjoying himself. In a game that can sometimes be stoic, he’s pretty against the grain as far as that goes.”

Despite the star player’s shining moment on the other side, the A’s got themselves a comeback 5-4 win on Buddy Reed’s go-ahead single in the seventh inning in their first nine-inning game of spring. Here are takeaways from the day.

Romo started a game?

Yes, Sergio Romo started Friday’s game against the Padres, and this wasn’t an opener experiment. We got a backwards game. And Tatís was one of few starters the Padres threw out.

With rain threatening to fall all day, the A’s decided it best to get the veteran relief pitchers in the game first in case the game got called early. The game’s scheduled starter, Daulton Jefferies, entered the game in the fifth inning.

That Tatís home run was the only run Romo would allow in his inning. He primarily threw his slider, which sat at its typical 74-76 mph, allowed two hits and a strikeout. The long inning was almost welcome for Romo, who was given a chance to work more on his changeup, too, Melvin said.

Yusmeiro Petit allowed a hit on a bunt that Matt Chapman nearly handled barehanded on the run, missing the out by an inch, with a walk and a strikeout. Adam Kolarek threw a perfect inning with a strikeout and Burch Smith gave up a hit with a strikeout in his inning.

Mike Fiers not throwing yet

Mike Fiers, 35, has been sidelined since earlier this week with back pain, manager Bob Melvin said, and there is no timetable for his return. He’s not playing catch, but has increased activity and is feeling better. he could play some catch on Saturday.

With two weeks until Opening Day, will Fiers be available to potentially start a game on the rotation’s first turn? Fiers has been durable in his three seasons with the A’s.

“Some concern but he’s always been a guy that’s been able to take the ball,” Melvin said. “You look at his history with us, I don’t think he’s missed a start.”

Who will start Sunday, then?

Frankie Montas. He threw two innings in a simulated game on Wednesday and, apparently, has flashed 98 mph on the radar gun in the back fields.

After a delayed start to camp due to COVID-19, Montas is expected to pitch in Sunday’s game against the Chicago White Sox. That game will be televised on NBC Sports California, by the way.

On this day…

Last year, MLB shut down spring training and delayed the regular season as the coronavirus pandemic smacked sports world. Here’s how some of the core players were doing at this time last spring (remember, the Cactus League had started earlier):

Matt Chapman: Batting .208 with a .941 OPS with 24 at bats in 2020. Batting .313 with a 1.103 OPS in 2021 in 16 at bats.

Matt Olson: Batting .219 with a .699 OPS in 32 at bats in 2020. Batting .438 with a 1.658 OPS in 16 at bats in 2021.

Ramón Laureano: Batting .231 with a .669 OPS in 26 at bats in 2020. Batting .357 with a 1.500 OPS in 2021.

A few core guys aren’t as caught up at the plate, though. Though Stephen Piscotty has had some hard contact, he’s batting .083 with a .333 OPS in 12 at bats. Chad Pinder, who was batting .357 this time last spring, holds a .133 average now. Though Pinder had a double and scored in Friday’s game.

Spring numbers don’t mean much, but context matters. Chapman got his fifth hit — a single hit 111 mph too sharp for shortstop Tatis’ glove — off Padres’ stud starter Chris Paddack on Friday. The stats are up, and so is the quality of contact.

Injury updates

Tony Kemp will have two days off after being hit in the back with a pitch removed from Thursday’s game against the Texas Rangers, Melvin said.

Closer Trevor Rosenthal, out with a groin strain, threw a bullpen on Thursday and will throw to hitters in a simulated game on Sunday.