Padres’ Manny Machado Warns Dodgers After Tatis Jr. Hit by Pitch, Says L.A. Better Pray Star Outfielder Is Okay

Tensions have flared once again between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers, and this time, it’s Manny Machado delivering the fire. After Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit by a pitch in Thursday night’s heated divisional matchup, Machado didn’t mince words in his postgame comments. In a sharp and emotional moment, the Padres third baseman openly called out the Dodgers and warned them to “pray” Tatis is okay—an unmistakable message that this rivalry has taken another dangerous turn.

The incident occurred in the bottom of the sixth inning at Petco Park, with the Dodgers holding a narrow lead and the game hanging in the balance. Tatis stepped into the box, already 1-for-2 on the night, and was struck on the wrist by a 97-mph fastball from Dodgers right-hander Michael Grove. Tatis dropped to the dirt in visible pain and was immediately attended to by the Padres’ medical staff. The stadium grew quiet as trainers examined the star outfielder, who has been the engine behind San Diego’s recent hot streak.

Although Tatis eventually walked off the field under his own power—his status now listed as day-to-day pending imaging—Machado’s reaction was instant and filled with frustration.

“You don’t throw a pitch like that unless you’re sending a message,” Machado said postgame, standing at his locker with cameras rolling. “I’ve been around this game long enough to know when it’s intentional. They can say whatever they want. But I hope for their sake that Fernando is alright. Because if he’s not, they better pray. That’s all I’m saying.”

Machado’s comments quickly made waves across social media, sports talk shows, and within both clubhouses. The Padres have made no secret about their animosity toward the Dodgers, especially over the last few years. The two teams have clashed repeatedly, both in the regular season and in postseason play, with high emotions becoming as routine as home runs and strikeouts in this bitter NL West rivalry.

For Machado, a former Dodger himself, the issue is deeply personal. He’s one of the few players who has experienced both sides of this feud, and his leadership in San Diego has often mirrored the fire and passion he brings to the field. The Padres’ third baseman has long taken on the role of emotional backbone, and with Tatis—arguably the team’s most dynamic player—being potentially sidelined, Machado’s comments reflect more than just anger. They reflect a desire to protect his teammate, his clubhouse, and what the Padres are building.

Grove, for his part, denied any intent behind the pitch.

“I was trying to work inside, missed my spot,” Grove said after the game. “It’s unfortunate that it hit him, but there was absolutely no intent. I hope Fernando’s okay. He’s a great player and no one wants to see anyone hurt.”

The Dodgers’ coaching staff echoed similar sentiments, with manager Dave Roberts stating, “There’s no place in the game for intentionally throwing at guys. We didn’t do that. We’ve had our battles with the Padres, but we play hard and fair. I respect Fernando, and I hope he recovers quickly.”

Still, Machado wasn’t buying it.

“It’s always the same song,” he continued. “They say it’s an accident, then you look at the pitch, the timing, the situation—we’ve seen it before. I’m not here to play dumb. We see everything. And you better believe we’re going to remember it.”

As if the rivalry needed more fuel, the Padres and Dodgers are scheduled to meet again twice in the next 10 days. The build-up to those games just intensified tenfold. Fans on both sides are already bracing for electric atmospheres, and potentially, more fireworks between two of baseball’s most volatile rosters.

Tatis has been one of the hottest hitters in the majors recently, and losing him—even temporarily—would be a massive blow for the Padres. He’s batting .306 with 18 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases this season while playing elite defense in right field. Since returning from suspension and injury issues, he’s reclaimed his role as a franchise centerpiece and MVP-caliber player. That made the moment all the more gut-wrenching for Padres fans.

“This guy’s worked too hard to get back,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “He’s played the game the right way all year. For something like this to happen—it’s tough to swallow. We’ll wait on the medical update and go from there. But I completely understand Manny’s frustration.”

Indeed, Machado’s fire is a mirror of the team’s own. This year was supposed to be a reset for the Padres after an underwhelming 2024 campaign. With a trimmed-down roster but sharper focus, they’ve battled their way back into contention. Tatis and Machado have led the way both statistically and emotionally. And now, the possibility of losing Tatis has brought out the warrior mentality in San Diego’s veteran leader.

It wasn’t the first brush between these teams in recent memory. Just last season, both benches cleared during a hotly contested August series after a controversial tag play involving Tatis and Dodgers infielder Gavin Lux. Before that, there was the 2022 playoff series that saw San Diego eliminate L.A. in a wild four-game NLDS upset—an outcome Dodgers fans still haven’t fully shaken.

“This is baseball, but this is also pride,” said Padres reliever Robert Suarez. “You protect your guys. Everyone in this clubhouse is with Manny. If you come after one of us, you come after all of us.”

Major League Baseball has yet to comment on whether Grove’s pitch will warrant any further review, but history suggests that unless there’s a pattern or repeat incident, the league is unlikely to issue a suspension for a single HBP. That hasn’t stopped fans from weighing in heavily online, with hashtags like #ProtectTatis and #DodgerDanger trending across social media platforms.

The Padres training staff said that early tests showed no fractures but added that further imaging will determine if there is any structural damage or deep bruising. Tatis is expected to miss at least the next game while the team awaits results. Optimism exists, but so does uncertainty.

In the clubhouse, the mood was tense but united.

“We’ve got each other’s backs, always,” said Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar. “Whether it’s a big hit, a defensive play, or something like this—we respond together. Manny’s right. You don’t touch Fernando and think there won’t be consequences.”

The Dodgers, meanwhile, are choosing to stay the course. “We’ll let the play speak for itself,” said Roberts. “We’re here to win ballgames. Not get into a war of words.”

But for the Padres, words were already spoken—and loudly. Machado’s warning wasn’t just a flash of emotion; it was a line drawn in the sand. As baseball barrels toward the midpoint of the season, the stakes are rising, the games are growing tenser, and the rivalry between San Diego and Los Angeles is boiling.

What happens next could define the second half of the season. And perhaps more importantly, it could reshape the tone of this rivalry for years to come.

Because if Fernando Tatis Jr. isn’t okay, the Padres—and Manny Machado—will be coming for answers. And maybe a whole lot more.