Padres All-Star Tatis Jr. working in outfield as he prepares to return

The San Diego Padres are prepping All-Star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. to play outfield when he returns from the injured list.

Though the team has not made a decision, the thought is playing Tatis in center field and right field would help preserve his shoulder through the end of the season. Tatis has suffered four or five shoulder injuries this season and has been on the IL since July 31 after the latest one. It’s expected Tatis will need surgery in the offseason.

He was eligible to come off the IL on Tuesday but he’s not ready yet.

In the meantime, Tatis has been working with Padres outfield coach Wayne Kirby.

“He’s seeing the ball well off the bat,” Kirby said. “His instincts are impeccable. He shouldn’t have any problem. His speed will make up for the adjustment.”

A move to the outfield would likely see a platoon situation between Wil Myers and Tommy Pham while Trent Grisham plays in center or right, depending on where Tatis is slotted.

Jake Cronenworth, who has bee.n playing shortstop in Tatis’ absence, would stay there.

Tatis is batting .292 with 31 home runs, 70 RBIs and 23 steals in 78 games and made the NL All-Star team for the first time.

MARLINS MANAGER MATTINGLY SET TO RETURN » Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly, sidelined since he tested positive for COVID-19 on July 31, is expected to rejoin the team Friday.

The 60-year-old former New York Yankees star, who was vaccinated in mid-April, experienced mild symptoms. The last-place Marlins are currently playing a series at San Diego that concludes today and Mattingly plans to return to the dugout when they start a homestand Friday against the Chicago Cubs.

James Rowson has been the Marlins’ acting manager in Mattingly’s absence.

Mattingly was voted NL manager of the year in 2020 after guiding the Marlins to their first postseason appearance since 2003.

He managed the Dodgers from 2011-15, winning three NL West titles, before joining Miami in 2016.

KNEBEL IN, KELLY OUT FOR L.A. » The Dodgers activated right-handed reliever Corey Knebel from the injured list and put right-handed pitcher Joe Kelly on the injured list without a designation.

Knebel hadn’t pitched since April 23 with a right lat strain. At the time of the injury, he had a 1-0 record and 4.50 ERA in six innings over eight appearances with nine strikeouts.

Kelly is 2-0 with a 3.34 ERA in 31 relief outings in 2021. PHILLIES’ HOSKINS SIDELINED » Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins was placed on the 10-day injured due to a strained left groin.

Hoskins last played on Thursday when he went 3-for-5 with two RBIs against the Washington Nationals.

Hoskins leads the Phillies with 24 homers, 29 doubles and 68 RBIs. He is batting .244 in 104 games.

RAYS’ YARBROUGH ON COVID-19 IL » The Tampa Bay Rays swapped players on the COVID-19 injured list, reinstating outfielder Randy Arozarena from the list but placing starting left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough on it.

It’s unclear if Yarbrough tested positive or was deemed a close contact of someone who did. Yarbrough is vaccinated.

Yarbrough was scheduled to start today’s game in Boston.

Arozarena was put on the list Friday after being deemed a close contact.

ANGELS’ CANNING DONE FOR SEASON » Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Griffin Canning will miss the rest of the season because of a low back stress fracture.

Canning, the No. 47 overall draft pick in the 2017 MLB Draft by the Angels, has been injury-plagued since joining his home-area team in 2019.

He pitched in 14 games (13 starts) for the Angels in 2021, ending with a 5-4 record and 5.60 ERA in 62 2/3 innings.