"It can get worse and we don't want that" - Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. likely to miss All-Star game over fear of aggravating bone injury

The San Diego Padres were dealt a severe blow after superstar slugger Fernando Tatis Jr.'s injury last month. While the Padres outfielder continues to recover from a thigh bone injury, the team dropped another update on his injury ahead of the series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday.

Fernando Tatis Jr. was amid a purple patch and leading the home run charts for the Padres before his injury. He hasn't featured for the team since June 21 but was announced as the starting outfielder for the All-Star game on Wednesday.

However, the Padres star is unlikely to feature in the Midsummer Classic on July 16 at Globe Life Field, Arlington. Tatis Jr. addressed concerns over aggravating his injury that had been troubling him even before his absence from the team.

"It can get worse and we don't want that," Tatis said. "I was playing through it and I probably could have kept going, but the doctors recommended to heal it now so that way it doesn't get worse. It's just better that way."

Fernando Tatis Jr. unsure about the timeline of his return

When talking about his return, Fernado Tatis Jr. couldn't provide a specific time for his return, saying:

"I don't want to put it out there because people are going to expect stuff. But it's going to be some time. We know with the right stuff we're trying to aim after the All-Star Game, but we're talking about something serious in my bone, in my right leg."

Despite the absence of Fernando Tatis Jr., the Padres have done relatively well. Friday's dramatic walk-off victory over division rivals Arizona Diamondbacks further highlighted their grit and resilience when the going gets tough.

It was the NL West team's eighth win in the last 10 games and it has largely been down to their red-hot bats led by Manny Machado. While Machado was the hero with his walk-off home run on Friday at Petco Park, Jurickson Profar's resurgence has also aided the Padres' cause in recent weeks.

Profar struck the game-tying home run in the game, his 100th career home run. The 31-year-old outfielder's red-hot form also sees him get his first All-Star nod this season. Meanwhile, the Padres could have another representative in the game with Machado likely to get his seventh All-Star nod in the second round of fan voting.