© MLBSan Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr.
The San Diego Padres are "optimistic" star Fernando Tatis Jr. will return for Friday's showdown with MLB World Series champions the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Tatis - who signed an eye-popping 14-year, $340million contract extension with the Padres before the start of the season - has been on the injured list since suffering a subluxation of his left shoulder on April 5.
But the 22-year-old shortstop is poised to make his comeback, according to Padres manager Jayce Tingler.
"He took a live [batting practice] today," Tinger told reporters on Thursday. "Probably had his best day today as far as the at-bats.
"We have to go over a couple of things with the medical team.
"We're optimistic that he has a good chance to be ready to play tomorrow."
Tatis won a Silver Slugger award last season, having hit .277 with 17 home runs and 45 RBIs in the coronavirus-shortened 2020 campaign.
He is the first player in MLB history to have at least 35 home runs and 25 stolen bases within the first 150 games of his career.
Tatis packs a punch with the bat - he led the majors in average exit velocity (95.9 mph), hard hit percentage (62.2), and balls hit 95-plus MPH (102) last season.