Fernando Tatis Jr. Injury Update: Padres star's recent MRI shows progress; can ramp up baseball activities

The San Diego Padres received a positive injury update regarding the health of superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. He has been out of action since the end of June after sustaining a stress reaction in his femur, placing him on the IL retroactively to June 22.

Although it remains to be when or even if Tatis Jr. will return to the Padres lineup, the team has received encouraging news regarding his leg injury. According to MLB insider Kevin Acee, the All-Star underwent an MRI this week, which revealed that Tatis Jr. had made significant progress.

"He [Fernando Tatis Jr.] can continue to incrementally increase his baseball activity. He has already begun playing catch and swinging a bat," Acee tweeted.

This is a major injury update for the Padres as they look to secure a postseason spot.

Prior to his injury, Fernando Tatis Jr. had been tremendous for the Friars. Through 80 games this season, the native of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, has racked up 14 home runs, 36 RBIs and a .279 batting average. Tatis Jr. also earned the second All-Star selection of his career; however, the leg injury prevented him from participating in the event.

Fernando Tatis Jr.'s return to the lineup could help the Padres push for the playoffs

Though it remains unclear when Tatis Jr. could return to the lineup, it could be a massive help for the club if he can return. Currently, the San Diego Padres sit 7.0 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for the lead in the National League West and are tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Even though the Padres are without Tatis Jr., they remain one of the top teams in the NL thanks to the likes of Dylan Cease, Manny Machado and Luis Arraez. That being said, if the club can get their injured superstar back sooner rather than later, it would be a major upgrade for the club.